George Ilenikhena marked his Nigeria debut with a goal and a promise — the 20-year-old Al-Ittihad striker says his first international strike is only the beginning of what he hopes will be a prolific career in the green and white.

Ilenikhena came off the bench to replace the injured Victor Osimhen and equalised in first-half stoppage time, finishing off a precise pass from Alex Iwobi to level the scores at 1-1. Madagascar had taken the lead through Ehsan Kari in the 16th minute, but Nigeria came from behind to win 2-1 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, securing a crucial result in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.