Nigeria: Super Eagles AFCON 2027 qualifiers schedule

Published on September 25, 2026

Three-time African champions Nigeria begin their road to AFCON 2027 with a clear mission: after missing two consecutive World Cups, the Super Eagles cannot afford another failure. And their qualifying group leaves almost no room for error. Group, fixtures, squad news, key players and qualification chances: here is everything you need to know about Nigeria's campaign.

Nigeria's AFCON 2027 qualifying group

Nigeria have been drawn in a group with:

Madagascar
Guinea-Bissau
Tanzania (hosts)

This is one of the trickiest groups of the qualifiers. As co-hosts of AFCON 2027, Tanzania qualify automatically. That means only one other team will join them, and Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau are effectively fighting for a single ticket.

The finals will be played from 19 June to 17 July 2027 in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Super Eagles fixtures

Matchday 1: Nigeria vs Madagascar, Friday 25 September 2026, Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo (4pm GMT, 5pm Nigerian time)
Matchday 2: Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria, Tuesday 29 September 2026, Bissau
Matchdays 3 and 4: double-header against Tanzania, November 2026
Matchday 5: Madagascar vs Nigeria, March 2027
Matchday 6: Nigeria vs Guinea-Bissau, March 2027

Exact dates, venues and kick-off times for the November and March matches are still to be confirmed.

Éric Chelle's first qualifying campaign

Head coach Éric Chelle is leading Nigeria in an AFCON qualifying campaign for the first time. He named a 24-man squad for the opening double-header and has made his message clear: the Super Eagles must go for the points from the very first whistle.

Nigeria's recent record at the AFCON is strong: they reached the last four at both of the last two tournaments. But the failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, after defeat to DR Congo in the African play-off final, has raised the stakes for this campaign.

Squad news: no Osimhen

The biggest absence is Victor Osimhen, Nigeria's star striker, who is ruled out with a muscle injury. Taiwo Awoniyi has been recalled to strengthen the attack.

For the Madagascar game, Chelle has paired Akor Adams with George Ilenikhena up front, with captain Wilfred Ndidi anchoring the midfield and Stanley Nwabali in goal.

Key players to watch

Wilfred Ndidi, the captain and leader in midfield
Samuel Chukwueze, Nigeria's most dangerous creative threat
Akor Adams, leading the line in Osimhen's absence
Ola Aina, experienced and reliable at full-back
Stanley Nwabali, the first-choice goalkeeper

Nigeria's opponents

Madagascar: the Barea arrive with confidence after reaching the final of the recent African Nations Championship (CHAN). Nigeria lead the head-to-head record, but Madagascar famously beat the Super Eagles 2-0 at AFCON 2019, their only win in the fixture. The two meetings between the sides could decide the group.

Guinea-Bissau: the Djurtus are tough opponents at home, and Nigeria's trip to Bissau just four days after the opening game will be a real test.

Tanzania: already qualified as hosts, the Taifa Stars are not competing for the ticket, but their results can still shape the table. The November double-header against them should be treated seriously.

Can Nigeria qualify?

On paper, Nigeria are clear favourites to win the only available ticket. But with no second place to fall back on, every dropped point could prove costly. Two strong results in the opening window, against Madagascar in Uyo and away in Guinea-Bissau, would put the Super Eagles firmly in control.

Nigeria results

This section is updated after every match.

Matchday 1: Nigeria vs Madagascar: 2 - 1
Matchday 2: Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria: to come

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