Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle is expected to select a strong starting lineup when Nigeria open their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar in Uyo on Friday, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The encounter at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium comes at an important moment for the three-time African champions, who missed out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup after also failing to qualify for the previous edition.
Chelle has made it clear that Nigeria must approach the opening fixture with the right attitude as the Super Eagles begin their bid to secure a place at the 2027 AFCON finals.
“We have to show everyone from Day One that we want it, and the only way to do that is to go for it with our hearts, and refuse to slow down at any point. We must go for the points without any hesitation,” Chelle said.
The Franco-Malian coach will be hoping his players can turn that determination into a positive result against a Madagascar side that arrived in Uyo several days before the fixture and will be targeting an upset.
Nigeria’s preparations have continued in Ikot Ekpene, with players including Ola Aina, Benjamin Fredricks and Taiwo Awoniyi available for selection. Awoniyi was brought into the squad after Victor Osimhen withdrew through injury.
Chelle has several options to consider in goal, with Maduka Okoye, Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo all included in the squad. The competition for places also extends to defence and attack, where the coach has a number of established players and promising newcomers.
In defence, the options include Aina, Fredricks, Bruno Onyemaechi, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Chibuike Nwaiwu.
The Super Eagles also possess considerable attacking depth, with Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare and George Ilenikhena among the players available to Chelle.
Friday’s fixture will also revive memories of previous meetings between Nigeria and Madagascar.
The Super Eagles defeated the Barea 2-0 in Calabar on September 5, 2010, before recording another 2-0 victory in Antananarivo during the return fixture in 2011.
Madagascar, however, produced a major upset at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt when they defeated Nigeria 2-0 in their final group-stage meeting. The Super Eagles had already secured qualification for the knockout stage before that encounter.
Nigeria will be hoping to avoid another setback when the two teams meet in Uyo, with three points at stake in the opening round of the qualification campaign.
Following Friday’s match, the Super Eagles will travel to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau in their second Group L qualifier on Tuesday, September 29.
Super Eagles Squad
Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo, Maduka Okoye, Stanley Nwabali.
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Olaoluwa Aina.
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka.
Forwards: Moses Simon, Victor Osimhen, Akor Adams, Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilenikhena, Moses Usor.