Sevilla’s Akor Adams is poised to become the latest Nigerian to score on his debut for the Super Eagles as Nigeria prepare to face Lesotho in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier in Polokwane this Friday, according to Soccernet.ng.
The 25-year-old striker, whose journey has spanned Norway, France, and now Spain, is currently enjoying excellent form. Should he find the net, Adams would join a distinguished group of only six Nigerian players who have scored in their first appearance for the national team.
His impressive performances at Sevilla have earned him a well-deserved call-up to the senior national squad.
Once a standout talent for the Flying Eagles, Adams dazzled in Norway with Lillestrøm, but his stint at Montpellier saw his impact diminish, with performances that failed to impress.
His transfer to Sevilla in January 2025 marked a fresh chapter, though injuries initially hampered his progress.
Now back to full fitness, Adams has regained his scoring touch, netting twice this season for Sevilla. His goals include a decisive strike against Rayo Vallecano and a spectacular finish in the 4-1 thrashing of La Liga champions Barcelona. This resurgence convinced coach Eric Chelle to hand him his first senior cap.
With the Super Eagles struggling for wins in their World Cup qualifying campaign, the team is in urgent need of goals. Adams could be the solution, whether he starts or comes on as a substitute behind Victor Osimhen and Tolu Arokodare. The key question remains: can he capitalize on this opportunity?
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Exclusive Group: Nigerians Who Scored on Their Super Eagles Debut
In the past quarter-century, only half a dozen Nigerian players have managed to score in their very first match for the Super Eagles-a rare and impressive accomplishment in international football.
The trailblazer was Julius Aghahowa, who burst onto the scene at the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations by netting the winning goal against Morocco at just 17 years old, celebrated with his iconic backflip celebrations.
Two years later, teenage prodigy Femi Opabunmi scored in a friendly against Kenya before becoming one of the youngest players to feature at the 2002 World Cup.
Obafemi Martins made his mark in 2004 by scoring on his debut against Ireland on Nigeria’s Democracy Day. The then-Inter Milan forward went on to net 18 goals for the national team, cementing his status among Nigeria’s football legends.
That same year, Stephen Makinwa scored against South Africa in the Nelson Mandela Challenge, though his international career was brief.
In 2011, Ekigho Ehiosun added his name to the list by scoring against Sierra Leone in Samson Siasia’s first match as coach, a promising start that ultimately did not flourish.
The latest to join this elite group was Brian Idowu, who scored in a 4-2 friendly victory over Argentina in Krasnodar in 2017 while playing for FC Amkar Perm in Russia. Though his international career was short-lived, that goal remains a highlight.
Now, eight years on, Akor Adams is on the verge of entering this exclusive circle. Scoring on Friday would not only etch his name in Nigerian football history but could also ignite the resurgence the Super Eagles urgently require on their quest for the 2026 World Cup.
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