Tolu Arokodare was the hero as Nigeria boosted their hopes of reaching the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-1 home win over co-hosts Tanzania in Uyo. Tanzania had already secured a place at the finals, while the Super Eagles are battling for the single qualification spot available in Group L after losing 3-0 in Guinea-Bissau in September. Alhassan Yusuf put Nigeria ahead in the second minute from Ademola Lookman's pass, but Alphonce Msanga equalised just after the half-hour mark.

Arokodare, who came off the bench at half-time, flicked home Wilfred Ndidi's low ball to restore the lead in the 52nd minute. The Ajax striker, who is on a season-long loan from Wolves, added a second eight minutes later, smashing in from 12 yards out after controlling Moses Usor's cross from the left. With three games played in the group, Eric Chelle's side are one point behind leaders Guinea-Bissau, who drew 1-1 with Madagascar on Thursday.S1

Elsewhere in qualifying, Tunisia are in danger of missing the finals for the first time since 1992 after a 2-0 home defeat to Libya in Sfax, a result that leaves them winless and bottom of Group H. South Africa are a point clear at the top of Group D after a 2-2 draw with Benni McCarthy's Kenya in Johannesburg, where Kenya equalised in the 90th minute. Later on Friday, Ali Maher takes charge of Egypt for the first time when they host Malawi, while Morocco face Niger at home, with the third round concluding on Saturday.S1

Separately, Nigeria's Olympic Eagles suffered a 2-0 defeat to DR Congo in the first leg of their second-round 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifier in Lubumbashi on Friday. Samuel James was adjudged to have turned the ball into his own net in the 15th minute, and Filozofe Mabete doubled the lead from a free-kick in the 35th minute. Zadok Yohanna was forced off with an injury in the 30th minute, and the visitors face an uphill task in the return fixture.S2

The defeat adds to concern about Nigeria's recent record in the U-23 category, given the country's Olympic history, including gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games, silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016. Nigeria failed to qualify for Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, and missed the 2023 U-23 AFCON. The current campaign therefore represents another chance to rebuild their continental standing and move closer to ending their Olympic absence.S2