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Super Eagles Begin AFCON 2027 Preparations Ahead of Madagascar Clash

Posted : 22 September 2026

The Super Eagles have opened camp in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, as preparations begin for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The team is scheduled to face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25.

Head coach Eric Chelle and members of his backroom staff arrived as invited players began reporting to camp. The first training session is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, with members of the media expected to have access to the opening 15 minutes.

Nigeria's original 24-man squad included captain Victor Osimhen, but the Galatasaray striker has been ruled out of the September qualifiers after failing to recover from a muscle strain. The Nigeria Football Federation subsequently called up Coventry City forward Taiwo Awoniyi as his replacement.

Osimhen's absence removes one of Nigeria's leading attacking options from the opening fixtures. The striker has scored 35 goals in 52 appearances for the Super Eagles since his international debut in 2017, according to CAF.

Awoniyi returns to the national team after last featuring for Nigeria during the 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign. His recall gives Chelle another experienced forward as the coach prepares his attack for the opening Group L fixture.

Madagascar have also begun preparations for the encounter. The Barea are entering the qualifiers after reaching the final of the recent African Nations Championship and will be looking to carry that momentum into their AFCON campaign.

Nigeria and Madagascar are in Group L alongside Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau. Because Tanzania are co-hosts and already qualified for the finals, only the highest-ranked team other than Tanzania from the group will advance to the 2027 AFCON.

After the Madagascar fixture, Nigeria will travel to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29. Chelle will use the short preparation period to assess his available players and establish his tactical approach before the competitive campaign gets underway.

The 2027 AFCON will be hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027. Nigeria's qualifying campaign therefore begins with a significant Group L assignment in Uyo.

 

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