Super Eagles Face Madagascar In AFCON 2027 Opener
By FRED LONGJOHN OBEH
Super Eagles Begin AFCON 2027 Campaign Against Madagascar
NIGERIA’S Super Eagles will begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar on Friday 25 September, as Éric Chelle’s side opens its Group L campaign at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The fixture will be Nigeria’s first competitive assignment in the qualifying cycle for the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The match is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Nigerian time.
The encounter represents an important early test for Chelle, who is overseeing Nigeria’s campaign after the team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The coach has retained a strong core of experienced internationals while also introducing younger players into the squad. Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon are among the established names selected for the opening qualifiers.
However, the Super Eagles will not have Victor Osimhen available for the Madagascar match. The Galatasaray striker was initially included in the squad but was subsequently ruled out of both September qualifiers after suffering a muscle injury in his club’s match against İstanbul Başakşehir. Taiwo Awoniyi was brought into the squad as his replacement.
Opportunity for Nigeria’s Other Forwards
Osimhen’s absence places greater responsibility on Nigeria’s other attacking options.
Lookman, Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams and first-time call-up George Ilenikhena provide Chelle with several alternatives in the forward line. Ilenikhena is among three players receiving their first senior invitations for the qualifying fixtures, alongside goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and defender Isaac James.
Stanley Nwabali has also returned to the squad, giving Chelle additional experience in goal, while Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Fredricks are among the defenders back in the national-team setup.
Madagascar Arrive With a Chance to Cause Problems
Madagascar will be looking to draw confidence from their recent competitive history against Nigeria. The Barea famously defeated the Super Eagles 2-0 during the group stage of the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.
That result remains the most recent meeting between the two nations, although Nigeria still hold the stronger overall record in the fixture.
The historical advantage, however, offers no guarantee in the opening match of a new qualifying campaign. Both teams enter the contest with different squads and circumstances from previous encounters.
Qualification Race Begins
Nigeria’s Group L campaign will continue four days later when the Super Eagles travel to face Guinea-Bissau on 29 September.
With Tanzania automatically qualified as one of the tournament hosts, the remaining teams in the group are competing for the available qualifying place. That makes every point particularly important from the opening rounds.
For Nigeria, the immediate task is therefore straightforward: begin the campaign strongly at home before turning attention to the trip to Bissau.
