Nigeria host Madagascar in Uyo on Friday at 5pm WAT without the injured Victor Osimhen. Team news, what to expect from the Barea and why Group L leaves no margin for error.
Result: Nigeria beat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo. See our Nigeria 2-1 Madagascar match report for the goals and Eric Chelle’s reaction.
Nigeria vs Madagascar kicks off at 5pm WAT (4pm GMT) on Friday, 25 September, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. It’s the Super Eagles’ first AFCON 2027 qualifier, and they’ll play it without Victor Osimhen, who is ruled out with a thigh strain. Taiwo Awoniyi has been called up in his place.
The Group L opener is on Friday, 25 September, at 5pm Nigerian time (WAT), at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Four days later, on Tuesday, 29 September, Nigeria travel to face Guinea-Bissau away. For every Super Eagles date, see our Super Eagles fixtures page.
Group L has only one qualifying place up for grabs. Tanzania are in the group, but they already have a place at AFCON 2027 as co-hosts with Kenya and Uganda. That leaves Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau fighting for a single spot, as Legit.ng reported when CAF confirmed the fixtures, so dropped points at home against Madagascar would hurt far more than in a normal four-team group.
After missing the 2026 World Cup, Eric Chelle’s side also need a strong start to settle the mood around the team.
No. Osimhen was forced off after 33 minutes of Galatasaray’s game against Başakşehir on 20 September with a strain in his right thigh. The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed the same day that he will miss both qualifiers, as CAF reported. His availability for the Russia friendly on 6 October is still uncertain. Our Osimhen injury update has the background.
Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been called up as his replacement. Chelle still has plenty of attacking options, including Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare and George Ilenikhena, as beIN Sports noted.
Chelle named two separate squads on 18 September: a 24-man group for the Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau qualifiers, and a second, more experimental squad for the Russia friendly. Stanley Nwabali is back in the qualifying squad, and captain Wilfred Ndidi leads a familiar spine alongside Alex Iwobi, Lookman and Simon. See our Super Eagles squad for the qualifiers for the full list, and our camp update from Uyo for who has arrived.
Madagascar, nicknamed the Barea, are coached by Corentin Martins and have named a 25-man squad for the trip to Uyo. They arrive with confidence after reaching the CHAN final, but they have struggled against Africa’s stronger sides, including heavy defeats to Morocco and Mali.
Expect a compact, well-organised side that sits deep and looks to hit Nigeria on the break, with captain Rayan Raveloson setting the tempo in midfield. Nigerian fans will also remember that Madagascar beat the Super Eagles 2-0 at AFCON 2019. For their key players, read our Madagascar squad guide.
Nigeria are clear favourites at home, but a deep-lying Madagascar side without the pressure of expectation can make this awkward, especially with Osimhen missing. Patience in the final third will matter as much as quality. For our full pick, odds and betting angles, see our Nigeria vs Madagascar prediction, and for every match this week, our football betting tips for today.
After Uyo, the focus switches straight to the away leg. Read our Nigeria vs Guinea-Bissau preview.
Kick-off is at 5pm Nigerian time (WAT) on Friday, 25 September 2026, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
No. Osimhen is out of both AFCON 2027 qualifiers with a thigh strain, and Taiwo Awoniyi has been called up to replace him.
Only one of Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau can qualify from Group L, because Tanzania already have a place as AFCON 2027 co-hosts.
Nigeria play Guinea-Bissau away on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, four days after the Madagascar game.
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