Super Eagles: Ranking Nigeria’s top 5 performers vs Barea – Ilenikhena 4th, Bassey 3rd

Nigeria’s Super Eagles began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo, Afrik-Foot reports.

Ehsan Kari’s 16th-minute header threatened to revive painful memories of Madagascar’s famous 2019 victory over the Super Eagles before Nigeria slowly wrestled control of the contest.

Alex Iwobi supplied the pass for George Ilenikhena‘s first-half equaliser, while Moses Usor produced the decisive moment after coming off the bench.

Nigeria finished with 22 shots to Madagascar’s four and an expected-goals figure of 2.06 to 0.61, evidence of a second-half performance that eventually overwhelmed the visitors.

Shaped by their contributions to Nigeria’s comeback win against Madagascar’s Barea, here are the Super Eagles’ most highly-rated stars, per SofaScore.

Super Eagles best stars vs Madagascar

5. Wilfred Ndidi, 7.0

Ndidi brought experience and structure to a midfield that needed to recover from Madagascar’s sharp start. The captain also went close in the opening half, heading over the bar in the 29th minute as Nigeria searched for a response.

His presence became increasingly important after the interval as Nigeria established territorial control and generated sustained pressure. The Super Eagles recorded 21 touches inside Madagascar’s box early in the second half, compared with only three for the visitors.

There were concerns that Ndidi could be rusty after spending fewer minutes on the pitch at Besiktas. But the former Leicester City man brought his experience to bear and gave the Super Eagles the defensive platform needed to bully the visitors.

Madagascar’s officials stayed behind and cleaned up the stands after last night’s 2-1 defeat to Nigeria in Uyo.#NGAMAD #AFCONQ pic.twitter.com/XBNrBz2OjJ

— Afrik-Foot NG (@AfrikFootNG) September 26, 2026

4. George Ilenikhena, 7.5

Ilenikhena’s senior Nigeria debut could hardly have carried more drama. With the Super Eagles trailing and the first half entering stoppage time, the Al-Ittihad forward latched onto Iwobi’s through ball and finished to make it 1-1.

The 20-year-old had been handed the starting role in place of injured Victor Osimhen, placing considerable attention on his first appearance. He answered that challenge with a goal before being replaced by Taiwo Awoniyi in the 69th minute.

3. Calvin Bassey, 7.6

Bassey offered the defensive stability Nigeria needed while the team’s attacking players pushed forward. Starting at centre-back alongside Semi Ajayi, the Fulham defender helped protect Stanley Nwabali after Madagascar had demonstrated early that it could punish defensive lapses.

His value was especially important once Nigeria moved ahead. Madagascar were forced to chase the game, yet Chelle’s defence protected the 2-1 advantage through the closing stages, allowing Nigeria to secure three points without conceding a second equaliser.

Moses Simon has officially reached 100 appearances for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, sealing his spot as a certified national team legend.💯🦅

He became only the 5th player to hit the milestone for the #SuperEagles. pic.twitter.com/5N3qzivDOR

— Afrik-Foot NG (@AfrikFootNG) September 25, 2026

2. Moses Usor, 7.7

Usor changed the temperature of the game almost immediately after his introduction. Chelle sent him on for Samuel Chukwueze in the 61st minute, and four minutes later the LASK winger supplied the moment Nigeria had been searching for.

Receiving the ball on the right, Usor drove towards the box, cut inside two defenders and fired a low left-footed shot into the near corner for his first Super Eagles goal.

It was not a tap-in or a fortunate rebound. It was an individual burst of speed, courage and precision that turned a tense qualifier in Nigeria’s favour.

1. Alex Iwobi, 8.1

Iwobi was Nigeria’s creative heartbeat, producing the pass that unlocked Madagascar’s defence for Ilenikhena’s equaliser in the first minute of stoppage time. The Fulham midfielder’s contribution arrived at a crucial moment, rescuing Nigeria from a frustrating first half and giving Eric Chelle’s team a platform to attack the second half with greater conviction.

His influence stretched beyond the assist as Nigeria sought to connect midfield with an attack that had struggled to find rhythm before the interval. Iwobi’s creativity was one of Nigeria’s clearest positives during the opening 45 minutes.

Nigeria’s victory ultimately belonged to a blend of experience and new blood. Iwobi supplied the creativity, Bassey the defensive composure, Ndidi the midfield authority, while debutants Ilenikhena and Usor provided the goals that transformed a difficult evening into a winning start.