Nigeria Host Madagascar In Uyo As AFCON Race Begins
By TAYO TAIWO (T. T.) OLUWOLE
NIGERIA’S Super Eagles will begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign at home against Madagascar.
The opening fixture is scheduled for 23 September at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Nigeria will enter the campaign as one of Africa’s traditional football powers. The three-time African champions will hope to use home advantage to make a strong start.
The Super Eagles were drawn in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and co-hosts Tanzania. The draw placed Nigeria in a competitive group involving three familiar opponents.
The qualification format adds an extra layer of pressure. Tanzania has already secured its place at the 2027 tournament as one of the co-hosts. That means Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau face a particularly demanding battle for the remaining qualifying spot from the group.
Nigeria have previous experience against Madagascar in AFCON qualifying. The Super Eagles defeated the Barea home and away during the 2012 qualifying campaign.
The Uyo opener will therefore offer Nigeria an opportunity to establish early control of the group.
A victory would provide three valuable points and give the Super Eagles an important platform for the matches that follow.
The 2027 AFCON finals will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from 19 June to 17 July 2027.
For Nigeria, the road to the tournament begins in Uyo. The immediate objective will be simple: start with a win and avoid giving their rivals an early advantage.
