The Super Eagles begin their road to AFCON 2027 today as Nigeria host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
For Éric Chelle and his players, there is little room for a slow start. Nigeria have missed successive World Cups, Victor Osimhen is unavailable through injury and the unusual make-up of their qualifying group means only one qualification place is realistically up for grabs.
From new Super Eagles hoping to make their debuts to memories of Madagascar’s famous victory over Nigeria in 2019, here are 10 things you need to know before Nigeria vs Madagascar.
1. Nigeria vs Madagascar kicks off at 5pm
Nigeria host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo today, Friday 25 September, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm WAT.
It is the opening match of Nigeria’s AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign, before the Super Eagles travel to face Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday.
2. There is only one qualification place available
This is what makes Nigeria’s group particularly interesting.
The 48 teams in AFCON qualifying have been divided into 12 groups of four, normally with the top two progressing to the 24-team tournament.
However, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania automatically qualify as hosts, and Tanzania have been drawn alongside Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in Group L.
That means only the highest-finishing team other than Tanzania will join them at AFCON 2027.
With only six qualifiers to play, Nigeria cannot afford many mistakes.
3. The pressure is already on the Super Eagles
Nigeria enter a new international cycle having failed to qualify for a second successive World Cup.
Their recent AFCON record has been considerably stronger, reaching the final in 2023 before making another deep run at the most recent tournament.
Chelle will therefore be expected to ensure Nigeria remain among Africa’s leading nations, making a convincing start to qualification particularly important.
4. Chelle wants Nigeria to attack from the start
There has been no ambiguity from the Super Eagles boss about what he wants to see in Uyo.
Chelle has urged his players to impose themselves immediately and approach the game aggressively rather than allowing Madagascar to settle.
“We must go for the points without any hesitation.”
With qualification potentially coming down to a small number of dropped points, Nigeria will want to establish control of the group from Matchday 1.
5. Victor Osimhen is OUT
Nigeria will have to do it without their biggest goalscoring threat.
Victor Osimhen misses the game through a muscle injury, leaving Chelle with a significant decision over who leads the Super Eagles attack.
There is still plenty of attacking quality available, with Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Samuel Chukwueze, Taiwo Awoniyi and Tolu Arokodare among Nigeria’s options.
Adams has already spoken positively about the mood in camp and said he is targeting goals during the international window.
6. We could see a new Super Eagle
One of the most exciting aspects of Chelle’s latest squad is the arrival of a new generation.
George Ilenikhena, Isaac James and Moses Usor have all received their first senior call-ups and could make their Super Eagles debuts during the international window.
Ilenikhena offers another option in attack in Osimhen’s absence, while James could come into contention on the left side of defence following Zaidu Sanusi’s injury.
7. Madagascar have already shocked Nigeria once
Nigeria have the stronger overall head-to-head record, winning three of the five previous meetings, with one draw and one Madagascar victory.
But that solitary defeat is the game everyone remembers.
At AFCON 2019, tournament debutants Madagascar stunned Nigeria with a 2-0 victory to finish above the Super Eagles at the top of their group.
Lalaina Nomenjanahary capitalised on a defensive error to open the scoring before Carolus Andriamahitsinoro’s deflected free-kick doubled the advantage after half-time.
Madagascar eventually reached the quarter-finals in an extraordinary debut AFCON campaign.
8. Madagascar have struggled since that famous tournament
The Barea have been unable to reproduce the success of 2019.
Madagascar have not qualified for another AFCON since their remarkable quarter-final run and have won only two of their last 18 AFCON qualifying matches.
They nevertheless arrive in Uyo knowing they have beaten Nigeria before, while the format of Group L makes taking points from their direct qualification rivals particularly valuable.
9. Nigeria have big selection decisions to make
It is not only the striker position that Chelle must settle.
Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoye provide competition in goal, while Ola Aina is back in the squad and could be important with Sanusi unavailable.
Further forward, Chelle has plenty of different combinations available around Lookman, Chukwueze, Adams and the returning Awoniyi.
With several newcomers also pushing for minutes, Nigeria’s first XI will give supporters an early indication of how Chelle intends to approach this new cycle.
10. How to watch Nigeria vs Madagascar
For supporters in Nigeria, SuperSport is providing live coverage of the AFCON qualifier through its DStv and GOtv platforms.
The specific channel allocation should be checked on the DStv or GOtv electronic programme guide before kick-off, as listings can change.
Canal+ Sport 1 Afrique is also listed to show the match across parts of Africa.
When and where is AFCON 2027?
The destination for Nigeria is Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, who will jointly host AFCON 2027.
The tournament is scheduled to run from 19 June to 17 July 2027, bringing the Africa Cup of Nations back to East Africa for the first time in decades.
Qualification will take place across three international windows, with Rounds 1 and 2 being played now, Rounds 3 and 4 in November and the final two rounds in March 2027.
For Nigeria, though, the immediate focus is simple: beat Madagascar and get the campaign off to the strongest possible start.
