Super Eagles’ next Osimhen? 3 Nigeria stars who boosted their profiles vs Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau

The Super Eagles’ opening two Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers produced sharply contrasting emotions, Afrik-Foot reports.

A stirring 2-1 comeback against Madagascar in Uyo was followed four days later by a bruising 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in Bissau, leaving Eric Chelle’s side with three points from a difficult Group L start.

Yet amid the turbulence, three Super Eagles players enhanced their standing. George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor announced themselves with goals on their senior debuts against Madagascar, while Calvin Bassey delivered 180 minutes across the two qualifiers that reinforced his importance at the back.

The Super Eagles’ results exposed plenty of problems, but these three performances gave Chelle fresh material to work with as the qualifying campaign moves towards its decisive stages.

Super Eagles stars who raised their stock during the AFCON qualifiers

New Super Eagles golden boy, George Ilenikhena

Nigeria may never find another Victor Osimhen in another 100 years, but George Ilenikhena offered a glimpse of a future that does not look so frightening without him.

Handed his senior debut against Madagascar because Osimhen was injured, the Al-Ittihad forward equalised in first-half stoppage time after Alex Iwobi’s pass sent him through.

He then came off the bench in Bissau in the 76th minute and nearly scored, forcing Fernando Embadjé into a save eight minutes later.

Nigerians will be seeing more of him in the Super Eagles shirt and his potential partnership with Osimhen is already mouthwatering to savour.

Moses Usor, the right-winger Super Eagles didn’t know it needed

Usor arrived in September as a relatively unfamiliar name to many Nigerian supporters despite his form with LASK. He left the window as one of Chelle’s most intriguing attacking discoveries.

After entering against Madagascar and producing a superb solo winner in the 65th minute, Usor again came on at half-time against Guinea-Bissau.

Two appearances, one goal and an immediate appetite for attacking defenders have made it difficult to dismiss him from future squads.

Calvin Bassey, the rock in the Super Eagles’ defence

Bassey provided the defensive counterpoint. The Fulham centre-back completed all 180 minutes, recording 84 accurate passes from 89 attempts against Madagascar and winning both of his tackles. The Fulham defender led with six tackles across the two qualifiers.

He could not prevent the collapse in Bissau, where Nigeria conceded three times, but his 8.6 rating against Madagascar was among the strongest individual marks in the squad. Alongside Alex Iwobi, Bassey was one of Nigeria’s most reliable performers across the two matches.

And it is only a matter of time before the former Ajax and Rangers defender is recognised as Africa’s best centre-back.