People · George Ilenikhena

A photo in a Super Eagles shirt, then a stoppage-time equaliser.

Nigeria were a goal down to Madagascar in Uyo on September 25 when Alex Iwobi found George Ilenikhena inside the box in first-half stoppage time. Ilenikhena finished past the keeper. It was his first cap for Nigeria, and the goal made it 1-1.

First cap. First goal. 45+1.

Sixteen days earlier, he had posted a photo of himself in a Super Eagles shirt.

2021. Born in Lagos, Ilenikhena had grown up in Antony, outside Paris, since he was three. Amiens recruited him that year.

January 13, 2023. He scored against Bordeaux at 16 and became the youngest goalscorer in Ligue 2 history.

June 29, 2023. Royal Antwerp signed him for a reported €6m. He scored 14 goals in 50 games there.

July 25, 2024. Monaco signed him from Antwerp. French reports put the fee at €18m plus €2m in bonuses.

September 19, 2024. His first goal for Monaco was the winner against Barcelona in the 71st minute. Monaco won 2-1 in their Champions League opener.

February 3, 2026. Monaco announced his sale to Al-Ittihad. Its statement counted 51 appearances, 10 goals and 2 assists. The reported fee was about €33m, including bonuses.

July 2026. By July, Afrik-Foot reported, he had decided to play for Nigeria after talks with coach Eric Chelle. The outlet also reported that he had played youth football for France.

September 9, 2026. He posted a photo of himself in a Super Eagles shirt beside a statue of a Nigerian eagle. Chelle liked the post.

September 17, 2026. Chelle named a 24-man squad for the qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. Ilenikhena, Isaac James and Moses Usor were invited for the first time.

September 21, 2026. His representative said it was the "first and only time" Nigeria had invited him, and that he had agreed straight away.

September 25, 2026. Victor Osimhen had been ruled out with a groin injury. Chelle started Ilenikhena beside Akor Adams. Madagascar scored first. Then came Iwobi's pass and the equaliser at 45+1. Usor, also on debut, put Nigeria ahead in the 65th minute. Nigeria won 2-1. Ilenikhena came off after 69 minutes, replaced by Taiwo Awoniyi. Afterwards he said "It is a very big step for me in my young career." On Instagram he wrote "Proud to have made my debut with the national team. We keep working."

September 29, 2026. Nigeria lost 3-0 at Guinea-Bissau. Chelle had named Ilenikhena a fitness doubt before the match, and he was left out of the starting XI. Guinea-Bissau lead Group L on six points. Nigeria have three. Only one finals place is left for Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar, because co-hosts Tanzania have already qualified.

Sixteen days separated a photograph in a Super Eagles shirt from a goal in one. The goal came on his first cap, in stoppage time, with Nigeria a goal down.