Super Eagles debutant Moses Usor has opened up on the mindset that drove him to snatch a match-winning goal on his first appearance for Nigeria, describing the hunger to make an instant impact once he was given his chance off the bench. 

The LASK Linz forward came on as a second-half substitute in Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opener against Madagascar in Uyo on Friday and needed just four minutes to complete a stunning comeback win for the Super Eagles.

Nigeria had been stunned early on when Madagascar’s Ehsan Kari headed the visitors into a 16th-minute lead at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, catching the home crowd off guard. Fellow debutant George Ilenikhena restored parity just before the break, finishing calmly after being picked out by Alex Iwobi to make it 1-1 at half-time.

Head coach Eric Chelle then turned to his bench in search of a winner, bringing on Usor for Samuel Chukwueze in the 61st minute as part of a tactical switch to a 4-3-2-1 shape designed to attack Madagascar’s packed defence from the flanks.

The change paid off almost immediately. In the 65th minute, released by a pass from Semi Ajayi, Usor drove at the Madagascar backline, skipped past two defenders and cut inside before drilling a left-footed finish into the bottom corner to hand Nigeria the lead for the first time in the match.

The goal proved decisive as the Super Eagles held on to secure all three points, with Chelle later praising both Usor and Moses Simon, who also came off the bench and won his 100th Nigeria cap on the same night, for their willingness to take on defenders in one-on-one situations when the team needed a spark.

Speaking after the match, Usor could not hide his excitement at the manner of his introduction to international football, describing the eagerness he carried onto the pitch as a substitute determined to seize his opportunity rather than wait passively for chances to come his way.

He later took to social media to express his gratitude to the technical crew, his teammates and the fans for the trust placed in him, calling the achievement one that meant a great deal to him personally.

The 24-year-old’s rise to the senior national team has been building steadily. Formerly of Slavia Prague, Usor moved to Austria with LASK, where he was part of the side that won a domestic league and cup double last season, the club’s first such feat in 61 years, before carrying his form into the current campaign with three goals and five assists in his opening dozen appearances.

His call-up to Chelle’s squad followed an earlier setback, having missed a previous invitation for Nigeria’s Unity Cup outing through injury, making Friday’s impact all the more significant for a player determined to make up for lost time. Nigeria will look to build on the win when they travel to face Guinea-Bissau in their next AFCON qualifier on Tuesday, September 29.