The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations has started, and several African countries, including Nigeria’s Super Eagles, have begun striving for a ticket, Soccernet.ng reports.
Three-time champions Nigeria started their journey on Friday with a win over Madagascar. Although the performance was not shiny, it is clear that the team can still improve.
Other nations have also been busy. And interestingly, some African nations have some players of Nigerian descent playing for them. Two of these players with Nigerian connections found the back of the net for their respective countries to lead them to victory.
Eventful start to the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2027 Qualifiers.
Here are the results from Matchday 1. pic.twitter.com/WmzC4icYkR
— CAF (@CAF_Online) September 26, 2026
In this article, Soccernet writes about those two players and how they performed for their countries.
Babatunde Adepoju scores for Malawi
Babatunde Adepoju opened his account for Malawi in their 2-1 victory over South Sudan at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Friday.
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The striker gave the Flames the lead in the 20th minute before Joseph Dhata equalised for South Sudan shortly afterwards. Lloyd Njaliwa eventually restored Malawi’s advantage in the second half to secure all three points.
Adepoju’s goal was particularly significant given his background. The forward was born in Lagos, Nigeria but later acquired Malawian citizenship through naturalization after establishing himself in Malawian football.
Babatunde Adepoju wayitsogoza Flames pa 20 minutes
Malawi 1-0 South Sudan #442Malawi pic.twitter.com/uTgJmusa0O
— #442Malawi (@442_Malawi) September 25, 2026
The CD Costa do Sol man has spent much of his professional career in Malawi, including spells with Mighty Wanderers and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, where he became one of the country’s leading forwards.
Adepoju’s performances eventually earned him his first Malawi call-up in 2025, and he has now added an important goal to his international record.
He will hope to continue his form when Malawi travel to face Angola in their next qualifier on October 6.
Ime Okon strikes for South Africa
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Meanwhile, Ime Okon also made his mark as South Africa defeated Guinea 2-1 in their opening Group D qualifier on Saturday.
The Nigerian-born defender put Bafana Bafana ahead in the 31st minute, reacting quickest after Guinea failed to deal with a corner before finishing from close range.
A Nigerian just scored for South Africa .
We are everywhere pic.twitter.com/ncFsuCcIxz
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) September 26, 2026
Guinea eventually levelled through Seydouba Cisse, but South Africa reclaimed the lead through Samukele Kabini to secure a winning start under new coach Pitso Mosimane.
Okon’s Nigerian connection is well known The centre-back was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and South African mother, making him eligible to represent both nations.
Nigeria were previously linked with the defender, but Okon has repeatedly made his preference for South Africa clear.
“I know where my heart lies,” he said earlier this year before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, explaining that South Africa is home to him.
The 22-year-old has since established himself within the Bafana Bafana setup and was also included in South Africa’s 2026 World Cup plans.
Have The Super Eagles Missed Out?
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As a matter of fact, the Super Eagles did not miss out on any of these players. Adepoju would never make it into the Super Eagles squad, given the quality attackers that the country has.
He has spent his entire career on the continent and has never even played for any of the top clubs. So Malawi at their level is good for him.
For Okon, he has grown in recent years. He has gone from playing football in South Africa to playing for Hamburger SV in the German second tier.
Okon has talent. He is calm and composed on the ball, good in aerial situations, and uses the ball well. Still, it is unlikely that he would make the Super Eagles squad at the moment.
At center-back, coach Chelle has two Premier League-level players who are key members of their clubs. Even players like Emmanuel Fernandez and Chibuike Nwaiwu can not get starting shirts at the moment. So for sure, Nigeria has not missed out on anything.
