Nigeria vs Madagascar takes centre stage today as the Super Eagles begin their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign against Madagascar in Uyo without injured Victor Osimhen.
Nigeria vs Madagascar takes centre stage today as the Super Eagles begin their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, with Victor Osimhen ruled out and a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations now the immediate target.
The Group L fixture kicks off at 5 p.m. Nigerian time, with Éric Chelle preparing his team for the first of two qualifiers in four days. Nigeria will travel to Bissau after Friday’s game to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29. For the Super Eagles, the opening fixture is more than the first entry on a new qualifying schedule. It begins a campaign in which Nigeria will have to navigate a smaller qualifying race because Tanzania are already guaranteed a place at the finals as one of the co-hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda.
Nigeria vs Madagascar opens the AFCON 2027 campaign
The Super Eagles enter the contest after finishing third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and missing out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their attention is now firmly on the next continental tournament.
CAF has placed Nigeria, Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania in Group L. Because Tanzania automatically qualify as a host nation, only the highest-ranked team among Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau will secure the group’s remaining qualifying place. That makes the points available in the opening fixtures particularly important. Chelle has already made his intention clear.
The Nigeria coach said his team wants to collect six points from the opening matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau rather than leave qualification hopes to a late scramble. The first assignment comes at home, where the Super Eagles will hope to use the Uyo crowd and familiar surroundings to begin the campaign strongly.
Victor Osimhen misses Nigeria vs Madagascar
The biggest change to Nigeria’s plans came after Victor Osimhen was ruled out of the September qualifiers.
The Galatasaray striker suffered a muscle injury during a league match against Başakşehir and subsequently withdrew from the squad.
The Nigeria Football Federation then called up Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi as his replacement for the Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau fixtures.
Osimhen had initially been included in Chelle’s 24-man squad alongside captain Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon and other established Super Eagles players. His absence leaves Chelle with a significant decision in attack. Awoniyi is among the options available, while Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilenikhena, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman also give the coach different attacking possibilities.
Rather than announcing a confirmed starting lineup before the match, reports have only offered predicted combinations. The final XI will depend on Chelle’s selection on matchday.
Super Eagles squad brings experience and new faces
Chelle’s squad combines established internationals with players looking for a bigger role in the national team.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina and Stanley Nwabali are among the familiar names available for the opening qualifier.
At the same time, the coach has introduced new faces.
Arthur Okonkwo, Isaac James and George Ilenikhena received first senior call-ups when the original squad was announced, while Chibuike Nwaiwu and Moses Usor are also part of the group.
The competition for places is particularly noticeable in goal and attack. Nwabali and Maduka Okoye are experienced options, while Arthur Okonkwo has also been given another opportunity after his earlier appearances for the senior side.
Chelle therefore has several choices to make before kickoff, particularly in deciding how to replace the attacking presence lost through Osimhen’s injury.
Madagascar will not be an unfamiliar opponent
Nigeria have faced Madagascar several times at senior level, including a memorable meeting at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Barea defeated Nigeria 2-0 in Alexandria during the 2019 tournament, one of the most notable results between the two nations. The Super Eagles had already secured qualification for the knockout stage before that match.
The two sides also met during the early stages of previous AFCON qualifying campaigns, with Nigeria recording 2-0 victories in both directions in 2010 and 2011, according to the NFF.
Those results offer historical context, but Friday’s fixture begins a different campaign with a different squad and coaching setup.
Madagascar arrived in Uyo several days before the match, giving the visitors time to settle ahead of their opening Group L fixture.
Uyo ready for another Super Eagles night
The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium will host the encounter, with kickoff set for 5 p.m. Nigerian time.
Super Eagles players have spent the week preparing in Uyo, with the squad gradually becoming complete as players reported to camp.
The NFF said the team was targeting an early points advantage in the qualifying campaign. Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon and other players have also spoken publicly about the team’s determination to start the campaign positively, while goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali welcomed the opportunity for younger players to join the senior setup.
For fans, the timing gives the fixture an added sense of occasion. It is the first competitive Super Eagles match of a new AFCON qualifying campaign, and the result will immediately shape the early Group L picture.
What comes next for Nigeria
Whatever happens in Uyo, the Super Eagles will not have much time to dwell on the result.
Nigeria are scheduled to travel to Guinea-Bissau for their second Group L fixture on Tuesday, September 29.
That short turnaround makes the opening match even more significant from a squad-management perspective. Chelle will have to balance his selections, assess the condition of his players and prepare for a second opponent only four days after facing Madagascar.
For now, however, the focus remains firmly on Uyo.
Nigeria vs Madagascar is the first step in the Super Eagles’ pursuit of AFCON 2027 qualification. With Osimhen unavailable, new players pushing for opportunities and only one qualifying place available alongside hosts Tanzania, Friday’s encounter gives Chelle and his players their first chance to establish how this campaign will begin.
