Nigeria vs Madagascar: Key Facts Ahead of 2027 AFCON Qualifier

Posted : 23 September 2026

Nigeria will begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25. The Group L fixture is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. GMT, according to the Confederation of African Football.

The match will be Éric Chelle’s first AFCON qualifying fixture as Super Eagles head coach. Nigeria will then travel to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29 as the opening international window continues.

The campaign comes after Nigeria missed out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Super Eagles now turn their attention to securing a place at the 2027 AFCON, which will be staged in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027.

Osimhen will miss the opening fixtures after the striker was ruled out while recovering from a muscle injury suffered during Galatasaray’s match against İstanbul Başakşehir. CAF confirmed that he will miss both the Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau matches.

His absence leaves Chelle with several attacking options. Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare and George Ilenikhena are among the forwards available for selection.

Madagascar have named a 25-man squad for the opening qualifiers. Coach Corentin Martins has handed first international call-ups to goalkeeper Zacharie Boucher and striker Roman Ferber, while Warren Caddy has returned to the squad.

The Barea also arrive with recent continental experience. Madagascar reached the final of the recent African Nations Championship, giving the team additional competitive momentum before facing Nigeria in Uyo.

Nigeria have the stronger historical record in five previous senior meetings. The Super Eagles have won three times, Madagascar once, while one encounter ended in a draw, with Nigeria holding a 5-2 aggregate goal advantage.

Madagascar, however, won the most recent meeting 2-0 at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt. Nigeria had previously recorded 2-0 victories over the Barea in their 2010 and 2011 AFCON qualifying meetings.

The qualification format adds importance to every Group L fixture. Tanzania are already guaranteed a place as co-hosts, so only the highest-ranked team among Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau will qualify from the group.

Match details:

Competition: 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers

Fixture: Nigeria vs Madagascar

Date: Friday, September 25, 2026

Kick-off: 4:00 p.m. GMT

Venue: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo

Head-to-head: Nigeria 3 wins, Madagascar 1 win, Draw 1

Nigeria vs Madagascar: Key Facts Ahead of 2027 AFCON Qualifier

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics