Super Eagles: Five Nigerian stars who have scored on debut

The Super Eagles played out a 3-3 draw with Russia in an international friendly on Tuesday, with another player marking his debut with a goal.

Benfica youngster Peter Edokpolor scored just a few minutes after coming on to join the list of Nigerian players who have scored on their debut for the three-time African champions.

Nigeria had played two games in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, beating Madagascar 2-1 before suffering a shock 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their latest game.

Kelechi Iheanacho, making his return to the national team for the first time in more than a year, opened the scoring against Russia with a superb strike from the edge of the box.

However, Russia quickly turned the game around, with Lechi Sadulayev restoring parity before Matvey Kislyak completed the comeback before half-time.

Aleksey Miranchuk then made it 3-1, and Eric Chelle’s side looked set for another defeat. However, Nigeria managed to fight back and salvage a draw.

Edokpolor began the comeback before Akor Adams put his disappointing AFCON qualifying campaign behind him with a brilliant equaliser to make it 3-3.

Afrik-Foot takes a look at five Nigerian stars who have achieved the feat.

Five Super Eagles stars to have scored on debut

Femi Azeez

Femi Azeez is one of the most recent Nigerians to mark his Super Eagles debut with a goalscoring performance, scoring twice in the 3-0 win over Zimbabwe in the Unity Cup semi-final.

The 25-year-old had enjoyed an impressive season with Millwall in the Championship, where he earned a place in the club’s Team of the Season. His performances also helped him earn his maiden Super Eagles call-up.

Azeez took his chance well, scoring a superb brace against Zimbabwe. Both goals were quality finishes and played a big part in helping Nigeria secure their place in the final.

He then added an assist in the final against Jamaica as Nigeria sealed a fourth straight Unity Cup title.

Moses Usor

Another Nigerian who marked his Super Eagles debut with a goal is Moses Usor, who broke Akor Adams’ record to become the Super Eagles player with the fastest goal on competitive debut as a substitute.

Usor came off the bench in the second half of Nigeria’s 2-1 win over Madagascar, with the game locked at 1-1. The LASK forward picked up the ball deep inside the opposition half before making a brilliant run, beating two defenders and firing into the net to give Nigeria the lead.

It was an impressive individual effort and a memorable way for Usor to begin his Super Eagles career.

George Ilenikhena

George Ilenikhena also scored on his Super Eagles debut in the 2-1 win over Madagascar. Nigeria had fallen behind in the encounter to an early goal, but Ilenikhena produced a brilliant finish to bring the Super Eagles level just before halftime.

The Al Ittihad forward’s goal helped Nigeria get back into the game before Moses Usor eventually completed the comeback with his late strike.

Peter Edokpolor

Peter Edokpolor joined the list after scoring just a few minutes into his Super Eagles debut against Russia in the 3-3 draw.

The 19-year-old was handed his first appearance for Nigeria in a much-changed side against Russia and he was ranked among the best performers.

He took his opportunity well, as he won the ball high up the pitch before driving into the area and eventually firing inside the net via a deflection. 

It was a memorable start to his international career and made him the latest Nigerian to score on his Super Eagles debut.

Julius Aghahowa

Julius Aghahowa is another Nigerian who found the net on his Super Eagles debut. The former Nigerian striker scored in the final group game of the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations, helping Nigeria beat Morocco 2-0.

Aghahowa went on to become one of the country’s best strikers in history. He finished as Nigeria’s top goalscorer at the 2002 AFCON tournament and also scored the Super Eagles’ only goal at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.