Two Super Eagles stars make top 10 players of AFCON 2027 qualifying Matchday 1

Two Super Eagles stars stole the headlines as the opening round of the Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers produced a feast of drama, Soccernet.ng reports.

Across 24 teams in action, the first matches delivered comebacks, decisive goals and performances that immediately gave the qualification race some colour.

Zimbabwe produced the round's most extraordinary turnaround, while Morocco's defensive authority, Mali's attacking firepower and Guinea-Bissau's impressive away victory also supplied major individual performances.

Cameroon, Algeria and DR Congo likewise began their campaigns with players stepping forward when their teams needed them.

Nigeria Super Eagles' 2-1 comeback against Madagascar also generated two match-changing performances. The Super Eagles fell behind after 16 minutes at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, but recovered before half-time and completed the turnaround after the interval. Here are the 10 players who stood tallest during Matchday 1, including two Super Eagles stars.

Scenes from last night’s win!#SoarSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/OzfzzRLzMN

— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) September 26, 2026

AFCON 2027 qualifiers: Where do the Super Eagles stars rank?

1. Marshall Munetsi, Zimbabwe

Munetsi produced the round's defining performance as Zimbabwe stunned Sierra Leone 3-2 after trailing 2-0 at half-time. He began the revival in the 72nd minute, watched Tawanda Chirewa equalise four minutes later, then struck again in the 88th minute to complete a remarkable comeback. The result is easily the most dramatic of Thursday's matches.

2. Nayef Aguerd, Morocco

Aguerd supplied the defensive backbone behind Morocco's 2-0 victory over Gabon in Rabat. His SofaScore rating of 8.5 was the highest in the match, ahead of teammate Noussair Mazraoui's 8.3, as the Atlas Lions protected their clean sheet.

3. Nene Dorgeles, Mali

Dorgeles turned a fast-starting contest against Cape Verde in Mali's favour with two goals. After Martial Tia opened the scoring in the fifth minute and Sidny Lopes Cabral equalised five minutes later, Dorgeles restored Mali's lead in the 39th minute before striking again six minutes after half-time in a 3-1 victory.

4. Franculino Djú, Guinea-Bissau

Franculino delivered the breakthrough in Guinea-Bissau's 2-0 away victory over Tanzania, scoring in the 33rd minute. Mama Baldé added the second in the 58th minute, giving the Djurtus a valuable start in Group L and immediately putting pressure on Nigeria's Super Eagles in the race for the qualifying place outside automatic hosts Tanzania.

5. Noussair Mazraoui, Morocco

Mazraoui provided the attacking spark in Morocco's controlled victory over Gabon, breaking the deadlock in the 36th minute. His 8.3 SofaScore rating was second only to Aguerd's among the players in the match, while Soufiane Rahimi's 84th-minute goal completed the win.

6. Bryan Mbeumo, Cameroon

Mbeumo needed only minutes after the restart to double Cameroon's advantage against Comoros. His goal came after David Ningo's 39th-minute opener, and although Warmed Omari pulled one back in the 51st minute, Danny Namaso restored Cameroon's two-goal cushion in the 81st. SofaScore gave Mbeumo 7.2.

7. George Ilenikhena, Nigeria

Super Eagles debutant Ilenikhena changed the mood in Uyo with a first-half stoppage-time equaliser against Madagascar. After Ehsan Kari had put the visitors ahead in the 16th minute, Alex Iwobi supplied the pass for the 20-year-old striker to make it 1-1 in the 45th minute plus one. The goal was especially significant because it came during his first senior Super Eagles appearance after receiving his maiden call-up.

8. Yoane Wissa, DR Congo

Wissa completed DR Congo's 2-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea by scoring in the 72nd minute. Chancel Mbemba had given the Leopards an early lead in the fourth minute, leaving Wissa to provide the second blow and secure three points in Group E.

9. Ibrahim Maza, Algeria

Maza restored Algeria's lead against Zambia in the 67th minute, only 10 minutes after Fashion Sakala had levelled the contest. Anis Hadj Moussa added a 74th-minute third as Algeria began new coach Brahim Hamdani's tenure with a 3-1 victory in Tizi Ouzou.

10. Moses Usor, Nigeria

Usor needed just four minutes after his introduction to swing the Super Eagles' qualifier decisively. Replacing Samuel Chukwueze in the 61st minute, he produced an eye-catching solo effort after receiving a Semi Ajayi pass in the 65th minute to complete Nigeria's 2-1 comeback. The victory put the Super Eagles second in Group L behind Guinea-Bissau on goal difference, with Tanzania already assured of a finals place as co-hosts.