By Stephen Simon
Nigeria’s Super Eagles will begin their campaign for a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations when they face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Friday (today).
The Group L encounter, scheduled for 5pm, marks Nigeria’s first competitive assignment since the team finished third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Coach Eric Chelle will be seeking a positive start as the Super Eagles attempt to secure qualification for the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
Nigeria are drawn alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and co-hosts Tanzania in Group L. With Tanzania already guaranteed a place in the finals as one of the host nations, Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau are effectively competing for the group’s remaining qualification ticket.
That makes Friday’s encounter particularly important for the Super Eagles, who will travel to Guinea-Bissau for their second qualifying fixture on Tuesday.
Nigeria have reached the semi-finals of the last two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations, including a runners-up finish at the 2023 tournament in Côte d’Ivoire and a third-place finish at the 2025 edition in Morocco.
However, the team will enter the qualifiers under renewed pressure following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups.
Chelle has called on his players to approach the Madagascar encounter aggressively and ensure they collect the maximum points available.
“We have to show everyone from Day One that we want it,” the coach said, insisting that the team must go for the points without hesitation.
The Super Eagles will, however, be without star striker Victor Osimhen, who has been ruled out of the September qualifiers because of a muscle injury. Taiwo Awoniyi was subsequently brought into the squad, while Chelle still has Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams and George Ilenikhena among his attacking options.
Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has also arrived in Uyo, completing the 24-man squad after initially missing the team’s early preparations.
Madagascar, meanwhile, will draw confidence from their famous 2-0 victory over Nigeria at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt. The Barea reached the quarter-finals of that tournament but have struggled in subsequent qualifying campaigns, winning only two of their last 18 AFCON qualifying matches.
The Super Eagles will therefore be expected to navigate the opening fixture carefully as they begin another continental qualification campaign with little room for error.
