Two Super Eagles stars among 7 players to watch on Matchday 2 of AFCON 2027 qualifiers

Nigeria’s Super Eagles are among the favourites tipped to claim another win on matchday two of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers following their home win over Madagascar in the first round of matches, Afrik-Foot reports.

The road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations had barely opened, yet Matchday 1 already produced comebacks, braces and statement victories across the continent.

There were 17 winners from 24 matches, with 63 goals setting the stage for another charged round of qualifiers.

Three-time AFCON champions Nigeria are among the early winners, but the Super Eagles’ 2-1 comeback against Madagascar exposed how quickly fortunes can swing. Guinea-Bissau, meanwhile, moved top of Group L after beating co-hosts Tanzania 2-0, setting up a mouth-watering clash with the Super Eagles on Tuesday.

Several players arrive at Matchday 2 carrying genuine momentum. Some delivered match-winning goals, others rescued their countries from difficult positions, while a few announced themselves on the continental stage with performances that demand another look.

Here are seven players whose Matchday 1 displays have made them particularly intriguing figures heading into the second round.

AFCON qualifiers best: Super Eagles stars in

George Ilenikhena, Nigeria

Super Eagles debutant Ilenikhena needed until first-half stoppage time to announce himself in senior international football, firing Nigeria level against Madagascar after Ehsan Kari’s 16th-minute opener.

The 20-year-old striker finished an Alex Iwobi pass to settle the Super Eagles before half-time and provided the response Eric Chelle needed after Nigeria fell behind. His debut goal now gives him a powerful platform before the trip to Guinea-Bissau.

Moses Usor, Nigeria

Usor needed only a few minutes to turn his competitive debut into a headline. Introduced for Samuel Chukwueze, the LASK winger struck in the 65th minute from Semi Ajayi’s pass to complete Nigeria’s turnaround.

His instant impact has added another attacking option to Chelle’s squad ahead of a Guinea-Bissau defence that kept Tanzania scoreless.

Mama Baldé, Guinea-Bissau

Baldé arrives with perhaps the clearest reason to relish Tuesday’s showdown. The Stade Brest forward doubled Guinea-Bissau’s lead against Tanzania in the 58th minute, converting Dalcio’s pass after Franculino Djú had opened the scoring in the 33rd.

His goal helped secure a 2-0 away victory that put the Djurtus ahead of Nigeria on goal difference.

Nene Dorgeles, Mali

Dorgeles produced one of Matchday 1’s sharpest attacking displays, scoring twice as Mali defeated Cape Verde 3-1.

He restored Mali’s lead in the 39th minute and struck again six minutes after half-time, turning a fast-paced contest into a comfortable victory. Mali now carry three points and a prolific forward into their next qualifier against Liberia.

Marshall Munetsi, Zimbabwe

Munetsi turned despair into celebration in Morocco, scoring twice as Zimbabwe recovered from 2-0 down to beat Sierra Leone 3-2. His first goal arrived in the 72nd minute, Tawanda Chirewa levelled four minutes later, then Munetsi completed the comeback in the 88th minute.

Zimbabwe now face DR Congo with their captain carrying the confidence of a brace that rescued three points from an apparently lost position.

Ibrahim Maza, Algeria

Maza was central to Algeria’s response after Zambia cancelled out Jaouen Hadjam’s early goal.

The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder restored Algeria’s lead in the 67th minute before Anis Hadj Moussa added a third seven minutes later, giving new coach Brahim Hamdani a 3-1 victory in his first competitive match. Maza’s ability to influence games from attacking midfield will be tested again against Burundi.

Bryan Mbeumo, Cameroon

Manchester United forward Mbeumo delivered the goal that handed Cameroon a two-goal cushion against Comoros, striking in the 48th minute at Stade Roumdé Adjia in Garoua.

Warmed Omari pulled one back three minutes later, but Danny Namaso eventually sealed a 3-1 victory in the 81st minute. Mbeumo’s early second-half intervention gives Cameroon an important attacking reference before their trip to Congo.