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•Nets brace against Tanzania
Tolu Arokodare scored twice for the Super Eagles to soar past Tanzania 3-1 in a crucial 2027 AFCON qualifier tonight in Uyo.
Nigeria were without the injured star striker Victor Osimhen, but Arokodare came off the bench to score twice and revive their qualification hopes after a 3-0 loss in Guinea Bissau last month.
The Super Eagles are now within a point of Group L leaders Guinea Bissau.
They have six points from three matches, a point behind Guinea Bissau, who dropped two vital points after they forced Madagascar to a 1-1 draw Thursday.
The Super Eagles will hope to pile more pressure on Guinea Bissau with another victory over Tanzania in Zanzibar City Tuesday.
They got off to a bright start as early as the second minute, when USA-based midfielder Alhassan Yusuf netted his third international goal after he was set up by Ademola Lookman inside the box.
However, Tanzania made this game a contest when they drew level on 32 minutes, when some slack defending let in Alphonce Msanga to shoot past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Coach Eric Chelle made several attacking changes including bringing on big Ajax striker Arokodare, who delivered with a brace.
First, he finished off stylishly a through ball inside the box by Wilfred Ndidi in the 52nd minute.
Eight minutes later, Arokodare made it 3-1 when he controlled a long ball from Moses Usor to beat the Tanzania goalkeeper.
The Ajax striker was only denied his first-ever international hat-trick four minutes from time by the Tanzania goalkeeper.
The home win was a belated birthday gift for coach Eric Chelle, who clocked 49 Wednesday.
