Super Eagles midfielder Alhassan Yusuf needed only two minutes to put Nigeria ahead against Tanzania in Uyo, and he was off at half-time, which leaves his place for Tuesday’s return leg an open question.
The New England Revolution midfielder was recalled by Eric Chelle for the AFCON 2027 qualifying double-header and started on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, alongside captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Tochukwu Nnadi.
Nigeria went on to win 3-1, and the points lift them to six from three Group L games, one behind Guinea-Bissau, who were held 1-1 in Antananarivo on Thursday.
How the opener came
The goal began with Akor Adams knocking a Tanzania player off the ball. Adams found Ademola Lookman, and Lookman set up Yusuf to finish past the goalkeeper.
Tanzania levelled through Alphonce Msanga after 32 minutes. At the interval Chelle sent on Moses Usor for Yusuf and Tolu Arokodare for Nnadi, and both substitutes changed the game: Arokodare scored twice, the second from Usor’s pass.
It was a game Nigeria controlled on the ball, with 67.8% of possession, 17 shots and seven on target.
A ball-winner who has found goals
Yusuf is usually used as a ball-winning anchor in midfield, but he has shown an eye for goal this year. In August he scored his first MLS hat-trick, all three set up by Jack Harrison, in a 3-0 win over D.C. United at Audi Field.
He kept his explanation simple at the time, as reported by Pulse Nigeria on 20 August.
“It all comes down to the way we played today. I was in the right place and got the goals.”
That instinct showed again in Uyo, in his first game back after he missed the September qualifiers.
Analysis: The goal earns a look, the half-time change asks a question
An early goal from a holding midfielder is a bonus, not his job description, and Yusuf’s case for the return leg rests on more than the finish. He was in the right place because he pushed on when Adams won the ball, which is the kind of run Chelle needs from his midfield against a side that sits deep.
The half-time change is harder to read. Usor’s impact from the bench means the coach has a genuine choice to make rather than an obvious one.
If Chelle wants control from the first whistle in Tanzania, a midfield of Ndidi, Iwobi and Yusuf gives him a ball-winner who has now scored for Nigeria in a competitive game. If he wants more width and pace, Usor’s assist will weigh heavily.
Either way, Yusuf has given the coach something to think about, and with Lookman’s knee now a concern, Chelle may need every midfielder who can arrive in the box.
The return leg in Tanzania on Tuesday decides how much the Uyo win is worth, and Yusuf will hope his two-minute strike buys him another start.
