Jubilation swept through 36 Lion Football Club in Lagos on Friday after academy graduate Moses Usor scored on his Super Eagles debut in Nigeria’s 2-1 victory over Madagascar in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Usor came off the bench in the second half with Nigeria and Madagascar level at 1-1 and made an immediate impact, producing a decisive moment to put the Super Eagles ahead.
The winger collected possession on the right, drove at the Madagascar defence and beat two defenders before calmly finishing to give Nigeria the lead and seal three points at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
For 36 Lion, the goal represented another significant milestone in the development of a player who came through the club’s academy before earning opportunities in European football.
Usor’s journey from grassroots football in Lagos to the senior international stage highlights the pathway created by 36 Lion for young Nigerian players seeking professional careers at home and abroad.
His Super Eagles debut also adds another chapter to the academy’s record of producing players who have progressed to professional football and international opportunities.
The victory gives Nigeria a winning start to their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign, while Usor’s performance provides another option for the national team as competition for attacking positions intensifies.
For 36 Lion, however, the significance extends beyond the result.
An academy graduate has scored for Nigeria on his senior international debut, a moment the Lagos-based club can celebrate as a landmark in its continued commitment to player development.
With the AFCON qualifying campaign now underway, attention will turn to Usor’s next opportunity with the Super Eagles and whether his impressive debut can be the beginning of a sustained international career.
