The 2027 African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign kicks off with a matchday one action between three-time champions Nigeria and Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Ayomide Oguntimehin provides the lowdown for the September 25 matchup.
Nigeria vs Madagascar match preview
Nigeria enter this clash hoping to kickstart their campaign with a victory. The Super Eagles finished third at the 2025 edition of the AFCON tournament and are massive favourites to top Group L this time around, ahead of Guinea Bissau and co-host Tanzania. The three-time African champions have qualified for the last four AFCON tournaments, finishing second once, third twice and one Round of 16 exit.
Eric Chelle has named a 24-man squad for the games this month, although they will be without talisman Victor Osimhen, who withdrew from the squad due to injury. However, the team is still well equipped with the likes of Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams and the likes.
Madagascar, on the other hand, are hoping to seal a shock result over Nigeria in their opening qualifying match for the 2027 AFCON tournament. Barea have only qualified for the AFCON tournament once in their history, during the 2019 edition when they defeated Nigeria on their way to a surprise quarterfinal exit. They have since missed every edition and will be looking to pip the Super Eagles to the one available automatic ticket in the group.
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Nigeria vs Madagascar Head-to-Head
- 30.06.2019 – Madagascar 2-0 Nigeria
- 04.09.2011 – Madagascar 0-2 Nigeria
- 05.09.2010 – Nigeria 2-0 Madagascar
Nigeria have won two of the three meetings between these two sides, although Madagascar won the most recent clash in 2019, when they faced at the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt.
Best betting odds
Home (Nigeria) to Win – 1.25 (via 1xBet)
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Prediction
Nigeria are the better side and they have enough quality, even in the absence of Osimhen, to seal a favourable result and begin their qualifying campaign with a win.
Recent form: Nigeria
Nigeria are winless in their last two matches across all competitions, recording a 2-2 draw with Poland before losing 2-1 to Portugal last June.
The Super Eagles have also kept just two clean sheets across their last six matches, while they scored more than once in five games during this period.
The #SuperEagles are BACK!
Who do you think will arrive first? pic.twitter.com/k0aD04uMYU
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) September 21, 2026
Recent form: Madagascar
Madagascar are also without a win in their last two, losing 4-0 to African champions Morocco and recording a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea.
They have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last three and they also failed to score just once during this period.
Player to watch
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
Former African footballer of the year Ademola Lookman will be hoping to inspire Nigeria to victory over Madagascar in the absence of talisman Victor Osimhen.
Lookman’s pace and direct dribbling could cause serious problem for Madagascar defence and provide a major attacking threat for the Super Eagles.
