The Super Eagles of Nigeria will kick-start their journey to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with a match against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. This fixture marks their first competitive game since finishing third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The team, led by coach Eric Chelle, is looking to make a strong statement in their qualifying campaign. Madagascar, under coach Corentin, will look to pull off a surprise, just like they did in their 2-0 win over the Super Eagles at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Coach Chelle will have to make do without his first-choice striker, Victor Osimhen, who is still recovering from an injury. Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, Taiwo Awoniyi, and George Ilenikhena are the available options for the two-man attack. On the other hand, Madagascar has a group of decent players with experience on the continent and in Europe. Players like Rayan Raveloson, Caddy Warren, and El Hadary Raheriniaina will be key for the visitors. Raveloson has been impressive, registering an assist in six league appearances for Amedspor.
The match holds significant importance for Moses Simon, who is set to become a centurion after over 10 years of service in the national team. The Paris FC winger made his debut for the Super Eagles in an international friendly against Uganda in March 2015. Alex Iwobi is also close to achieving a milestone, needing one appearance to equal Joseph Yobo and Vincent Enyeama's record of 101 appearances for the national team.
Madagascar's coach Corentin has a team with consistency in the national team and their club sides over the last few months. Caddy Warren, a 29-year-old striker, plays for Randers in the Danish Superliga and has been potent in front of goal. He scored 18 goals in 29 league appearances while at Stade Lausanne-Ouchy in the Swiss Challenge League. El Hadary Raheriniaina, a 20-year-old forward, plays for Nancy in the French Ligue 2 and has been dynamic in creating chances and scoring goals.
Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has promised Nigerians that the team will avoid a slow start to the qualifiers. He reminisced about the team's failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, emphasizing that this is a focused team planning to set the momentum with a win against Madagascar. Ndidi stressed that the first game is crucial in setting the tone for the rest of the qualifiers.
The head-to-head record between Nigeria and Madagascar shows that the Super Eagles have met the Barea three times. The Super Eagles won their first two meetings during the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, but the last meeting ended in a 2-0 win for Madagascar at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Eagles will look to draw inspiration from their past encounters and make a strong statement in their qualifying campaign.
A win against Madagascar will be crucial for the Super Eagles to avoid the ghost of their failure to qualify for two consecutive World Cups. The last time the Super Eagles lost the opening fixture of an AFCON qualifier was in 2017 when South Africa secured their first-ever win on Nigeria's home soil. The team will look to make a strong start and set the momentum for the rest of the qualifiers.
Key points
- The Super Eagles will be without first-choice striker Victor Osimhen due to injury.
- Moses Simon is set to become a centurion in his 100th appearance for the national team.
- The match against Madagascar marks the Super Eagles' first competitive game since finishing third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
