Usor, Ilenikhena and Edokpolor: three debut goals and a selection headache
Three of Nigeria's five goals in the last window came from players making their Super Eagles debuts. Here is who they are and why they matter.
Why this matters now
With Victor Osimhen injured and Ademola Lookman absent from the October friendly, Nigeria needed goals from somewhere in the last window. Three of the five they scored came from players wearing the shirt for the first time. In a squad that often feels settled to the point of being stale, that is a genuine change.
| Player | Opponent | Result | Minute |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Ilenikhena | Madagascar (Uyo) | W 2-1 | 45+1' |
| Moses Usor | Madagascar (Uyo) | W 2-1 | 65' |
| Peter Edokpolor | Russia (Nizhny Novgorod) | D 3-3 | 78' |
George Ilenikhena
Ilenikhena, a former Monaco striker who now plays in Saudi Arabia, equalised against Madagascar in first-half stoppage time. Alex Iwobi found him and he finished into the bottom corner. Nigeria had been flat for most of the half, and the goal changed the mood in Uyo before the break.
He missed the trip to Guinea-Bissau with a fitness concern, which was a pity, because Nigeria badly lacked a penalty-box threat that night.
Moses Usor
Usor, who plays his club football for LASK in Austria, came on for Samuel Chukwueze after 61 minutes and scored the winner four minutes later. Accounts describe a run past two defenders and a finish at the near post. Semi Ajayi was credited with the assist.
Impact substitutes are valuable in qualifiers. A player who can change a tight game in the last half-hour is worth having on the bench even when he is not starting.
Peter Edokpolor
Edokpolor was one of the first-time call-ups for the friendly in Russia, a squad that left out several senior players. With Nigeria 3-1 down, he scored after 78 minutes to start the comeback that Akor Adams finished in stoppage time. Read the full Russia 3-3 Nigeria report.
And a milestone: Moses Simon's 100th cap
While the new names grabbed headlines, Moses Simon quietly reached 100 caps when he came on at half-time against Madagascar. He joins Joseph Yobo, Vincent Enyeama, Ahmed Musa and Alex Iwobi in Nigeria's 100-cap club. Simon now plays for Paris FC.
The selection headache
Good problems are still problems. If Osimhen is fit for November, at least one of these forwards drops out. If he is not, Eric Chelle has to choose between experience, in Akor Adams and Taiwo Awoniyi, and form, in players who have just scored on debut.
Our view: Ilenikhena's movement in the box is what Nigeria missed most in Bissau. Usor looks most dangerous coming on against tired legs. That split might be the answer.
Make your own call in the Fan Room striker debate, or build your full team in Pick Your XI.
Sources
- Debutants Ilenikhena and Usor power Nigeria past Madagascar · Flashscore (opens in a new tab)
- Five observations from Super Eagles' 2-1 win over Madagascar · AllNigeriaSoccer (opens in a new tab)
- Russia 3-3 Nigeria: Iheanacho, Edokpolor, Adams find the net · AllNigeriaSoccer (opens in a new tab)
Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.
Naija Football Editor
Halima edits Naija Football, covering the Super Eagles, the Super Falcons and the NPFL. She cares most about the decisions behind results: selection, shape and what the numbers actually say.
Join the conversation
Which of the debutants should start against Tanzania, and who should make way?
Every comment is read by a moderator before it appears. No links, phone or WhatsApp numbers, social handles, betting codes or promotions. Keep it respectful.
Related stories
Osimhen is out. Who should lead the Super Eagles line against Tanzania?
Akor Adams, Taiwo Awoniyi, George Ilenikhena or Kelechi Iheanacho? The case for each, the case against change, and your vote.
Halima Bello
Russia 3-3 Nigeria: Edokpolor scores on debut as Akor Adams rescues a late draw
Kelechi Iheanacho, debutant Peter Edokpolor and Akor Adams scored as an experimental Nigeria came from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 with Russia in a friendly.
Tobenna Eze
Bissau exposed the Super Eagles midfield. Tanzania is the chance to fix it
Nigeria won in Uyo, lost 3-0 in Bissau and drew 3-3 in Russia. The common thread was a midfield that could not protect the defence. Here is what has to change before Tanzania.
Halima Bello