Super Eagles: Three Nigeria stars make best XI of AFCON 2027 qualifiers Matchday 1

Three Super Eagles stars are among the standout performers of the first matchday of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Afrik-Foot reports.

All across the continent, several established stars and emerging talents seized their moments when the pressure was highest for their countries.

From dramatic comebacks to commanding defensive displays, the opening round produced a number of performances strong enough to shape the early narrative of the qualification race.

Zimbabwe’s remarkable recovery against Sierra Leone, Morocco’s assured victory over Gabon, Guinea-Bissau’s impressive away success in Tanzania and Nigeria’s comeback against Madagascar all produced standout individual displays.

Goals came at crucial moments, substitutes changed matches and defenders proved just as influential as the forwards who grabbed the headlines.

AFCON 2027 qualifiers: Africa’s Best XI of Matchday 1 including Super Eagles stars

Goalkeeper: Stanley Nwabali 🇳🇬

Nwabali gets the gloves ahead of several goalkeepers who kept clean sheets because his contribution came at a critical point in Nigeria’s comeback win. With the Super Eagles having clawed their way back to 1-1, he produced an important save in the 51st minute to deny Madagascar captain Rayan Raveloson.

Right-back: Noussair Mazraoui 🇲🇦

Mazraoui combined defensive responsibility with the decisive attacking contribution, breaking the deadlock against Gabon in the 36th minute. His 8.3 SofaScore rating was second only to Aguerd’s 8.5 among Morocco’s players.

Centre-back: Nayef Aguerd 🇲🇦

Aguerd is the statistical anchor of the XI. SofaScore gave him 8.5, the highest rating in Morocco’s 2-0 victory, ahead of Mazraoui on 8.3 and Ounahi and Ayoub Bouaddi on 8.0.

Centre-back: Chancel Mbemba 🇨🇩

Mbemba needed only four minutes to put DR Congo ahead against Equatorial Guinea, rising to head Arthur Masuaku’s corner beyond Jesús Owono. He then helped his side protect the lead before Wissa’s second-half strike.

Left-back: Riaan Hanamub 🇳🇦

Hanamub earns his place on the strength of an excellent performance. The Namibia left-back repeatedly surged forward in a 1-0 victory over Congo, with Bethuel Muzeu’s 47th-minute header deciding the match.

Midfield: Marshall Munetsi 🇿🇼

Munetsi delivered the defining individual performance of Matchday 1. Zimbabwe were 2-0 down after 27 minutes before he launched the comeback with a 72nd-minute goal. He then completed the turnaround with an 88th-minute winner after Tawanda Chirewa had levelled four minutes earlier.

Midfield: Alex Iwobi 🇳🇬

Super Eagles playmaker Alex Iwobi delivered an outstanding performance to help Nigeria come from behind to secure a 2-1 win over Madagascar. The Fulham star provided the crucial assist for Nigeria’s equaliser and he could have had more but for the inefficiency of the strikers ahead of him.

Midfield: Nene Dorgeles 🇲🇱

Dorgeles supplied the attacking punch Mali needed against Cape Verde. After Martial Tia’s fifth-minute opener and Sidny Lopes Cabral’s equaliser, Dorgeles restored Mali’s lead in the 39th minute before striking again after half-time in a 3-1 win.

Right wing: Moses Usor 🇳🇬

Usor’s impact was almost immediate for the Super Eagles. Introduced in the 61st minute, he needed only four minutes to convert Semi Ajayi’s pass and put Nigeria ahead against Madagascar. The LASK forward was making his debut for the Super Eagles but he didn’t look out of place as he terrorised Madagascar’s defence at will.

Striker: Franculino Djú 🇬🇼

Franculino opened Guinea-Bissau’s 2-0 victory over Tanzania in the 33rd minute, setting up one of Matchday 1’s most significant away victories. Mama Baldé added the second in the 58th minute.

Left wing: Yoane Wissa 🇨🇩

Wissa finished DR Congo’s 2-0 victory in the 72nd minute after Mbemba’s fourth-minute opener. His goal turned a narrow advantage into a comfortable winning margin against Equatorial Guinea.