Nigeria get their 2026/27 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign underway on Friday evening when they welcome Madagascar to Godswill Akpabio International Stadium for a matchday one clash in Group L.
Here, we take a look at five reasons why Nigeria will get their qualifying campaign off to a winning start against Madagascar.
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Nigeria motivated to appease disgruntled fans
Nigeria fans will understandably be frustrated that their country has missed out on back-to-back World Cup finals, and Eric Chelle will be keen for his side to produce a positive performance and result to appease those disgruntled supporters.
Although that impatience to push forward and take the lead could cause problems at the back, the added motivation should help Nigeria increase the tempo of the match and cause Madagascar countless defensive issues.
Home crowd advantage
Alongside wanting to appease the disgruntled supporters, Nigeria will have to do so in front of their home crowd, with the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium set to host the AFCON qualifying fixture.
With a majority home crowd pushing the Super Eagles to deliver an encouraging result, the hosts will certainly not be short of any needed motivation to go out on the pitch and deliver a commanding performance.
Madagascar’s dismal record
Madagascar may have claimed a shock 2-0 win in their last clash with Nigeria at the 2019 AFCON, but they head into this one off the back of a disastrous record in AFCON qualifying fixtures.
Madagascar are winless in AFCON qualifiers since a 6-2 triumph over Niger in November 2019, losing nine and drawing seven of their following 16 fixtures, while they are also coming into this one off the back of a miserable 4-0 loss to Morocco in June.
Nigeria’s attacking quality
The Super Eagles may be without superstar and talisman Victor Osimhen, but Chelle is certainly not short of quality attacking options to call upon for this upcoming clash with Madagascar.
Atletico Madrid’s Ademola Lookman is the standout attacker still in the squad, while the likes of Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilenikhena and Taiwo Awoniyi offer plenty of goalscoring threat in the striker positions.
Dominant AFCON qualifiers record
Finally, Nigeria have often dominated their AFCON qualifiers, including suffering only two defeats in their last 22 qualifying fixtures for Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
One of those was a 2-1 loss to Rwanda in their final qualifying game in 2024, and Chelle will be eager for his side to bounce back from that loss with another qualifying victory and continue their impressive record in these fixtures.
