The win puts Nigeria one point behind Group L leaders Guinea-Bissau, with the return match in Zanzibar on Tuesday.
Tolu Arokodare came off the bench to score twice as Nigeria beat Tanzania 3-1 in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday. The win lifts the Super Eagles to six points in Group L, one behind leaders Guinea-Bissau, who have seven.
The Ajax striker is on a season-long loan from Wolves and has scored 13 goals in 17 appearances this season, according to BBC Sport.
Nigeria had lost 3-0 in Guinea-Bissau in September, after opening the campaign with a 2-1 win over Madagascar. Tanzania have already secured their place at the finals as co-hosts, alongside Kenya and Uganda, but are still playing in the qualifiers.
Alhassan Yusuf put Nigeria ahead in the second minute, finishing a move assisted by Ademola Lookman. Tanzania levelled in the 32nd minute, when Alphonce Msanga converted an assist from Novatus Miroshi. The teams went in level at 1-1. Lookman went off injured late in the first half and Moses Simon came on for him.
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle made two changes at the interval. Tochukwu Nnadi made way for Arokodare, and Yusuf was replaced by Moses Usor. BBC Sport reports that Arokodare restored the lead in the 52nd minute, flicking home a low ball from Wilfred Ndidi. Eight minutes later, it adds, he controlled a cross from Usor on the left and smashed in from 12 yards.
Nigeria had 65 per cent of the possession and seven shots on target from 13 attempts, against Tanzania's two from eight. Arokodare came close to a hat-trick in the 86th minute, when he was played through and the keeper stopped his strike. Earlier in the second half, Calvin Bassey made a timely block to stop a goal-bound shot.
Nigeria were without the injured Victor Osimhen and goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who was unavailable. Nnadi started on his home debut for the Super Eagles.
Legit.ng says a win over Tanzania in the return game would give Nigeria nine points from a possible 12, and that a win in the final two games would seal qualification.
The return fixture is in Zanzibar on Tuesday, 17 November.
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