AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Martins leads as Madagascar land in Nigeria ahead of clash with Super Eagles

The Madagascar national team, led by coach Corentin Martins, have landed in Nigeria ahead of their AFCON Qualifiers clash against the Super Eagles on Friday, Soccernet.ng can exclusively confirm.

Nigeria begin their push for a ticket to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations this Friday with a fixture against the Barea at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

Both teams are expected to open camp today and begin preparation in earnest. Madagascar qualified for the tournament just once, in 2019, when they made a stunning run to the quarterfinal. But they have failed to qualify for the subsequent editions of the tournament.

The Madagascar FA appointed coach Corentin Martins in January 2025, and one of his core targets is to qualify for the 2027 AFCON. So the Super Eagles should expect a tough battle.

Ahead of the game on Friday, members of the Madagascar national team, including coach Martins, have landed in Nigeria.

The Barea of Madagascar have landed ahead of the AFCON qualifier clash against the Super Eagles🛬🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/KQo4QSFVeD

— Soccernet.ng (@soccernet_ng) September 21, 2026

Soccernet.ng spotted them at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja after they touched down.

Coach Martins invited 24 players to camp for this fixture. Troyes goalkeeper Zacharie Boucher was one of the headline names on the list, but reports now indicate that he has been removed due to comments he made in 2018, when he denounced Madagascar and said he was only French.

When Will Super Eagles' AFCON Qualifiers Camp Open?

The Super Eagles are expected to open camp in Uyo this week, but it is unconfirmed when they will open camp, since none of them has landed.

Most Nigerian players ply their trades in Europe and were involved with their clubs over the weekend, so they should start arriving in camp from this afternoon.

Chelle will be without Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, but he will look to make do with either Tolu Arokodare, Taiwo Awoniyi, Akor Adams, or George Ilenikhena. With these players, they should be able to get the win.

The Barea are ranked 104th in the world. And their roster is major made up of players who ply their trades in the lower wrungs of European football and Africa. So with the quality available to Chelle, Nigeria should be able to see them off easily.