Nigeria begin their quest for a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with a potentially tricky Group L encounter against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Friday.
The Super Eagles will kick off at 5pm Nigerian time (4pm GMT), with coach Éric Chelle facing his first competitive AFCON qualifying assignment since taking charge of the three-time African champions.
The fixture carries added significance because Tanzania, one of the three co-hosts of next year’s tournament alongside Kenya and Uganda, are already guaranteed a place at the finals. Consequently, Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau are effectively competing for the remaining qualification place from Group L.
Nigeria’s preparations have, however, been affected by the absence of Victor Osimhen, who was ruled out of the opening two qualifiers after failing to recover from a muscle injury sustained while playing for Galatasaray. The 27-year-old striker was subsequently replaced in the squad by Taiwo Awoniyi.
Osimhen’s absence removes one of Nigeria’s principal attacking outlets, but Chelle still has several options at his disposal, including Ademola Lookman, Taiwo Awoniyi, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare.
The Super Eagles will also have captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Stanley Nwabali among the experienced players expected to shoulder responsibility, while Arthur Okonkwo, Isaac James and George Ilenikhena are among those handed opportunities to make an impression at senior level.
Madagascar, meanwhile, arrive in Uyo with confidence after reaching the final of the recent African Nations Championship. Coach Corentin Martins has also strengthened his squad with overseas-based players, including goalkeeper Zacharie Boucher and forward Roman Ferber.
The Barea are unlikely to be overawed by Nigeria’s pedigree, particularly given their recent history against the Super Eagles.
The two nations have met five times in competitive matches, with Nigeria winning three, Madagascar one and the other ending in a draw. Nigeria won the first four encounters between 2000 and 2011 without conceding, before Madagascar produced the most notable result in the fixture with a 2-0 victory at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.
That 2019 result remains the only time Madagascar have beaten Nigeria, and it also serves as a reminder that the Barea have previously demonstrated their ability to upset the Super Eagles on a major continental stage.
Friday’s encounter therefore presents contrasting pressures for both sides. Nigeria will be expected to make home advantage count and begin the qualifying campaign with maximum points, while Madagascar will look to exploit any uncertainty caused by Osimhen’s absence and build on their recent progress.
For Chelle, the immediate task is to find an effective attacking formula without his leading striker and ensure the Super Eagles make a strong start in a qualifying group in which there is little room for dropped points.
The fixture is scheduled for live broadcast on SuperSport, with the match also serving as the first of Nigeria’s two opening qualifiers. The Super Eagles will travel to Guinea-Bissau for their second Group L match on September 29, while Madagascar face Tanzania on the same day.
With Nigeria’s next assignment coming just four days after Friday’s encounter, a positive opening result in Uyo would provide Chelle’s side with an important platform as the qualification race begins.
