Lookman, Bassey lead as Super Eagles squad is valued 31x more than Madagascar

The Super Eagles of Nigeria take on the Barea of Madagascar in their opening game of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers today, Socernet.ng reports.

Going into the game, the Super Eagles are favourites on paper, not only due to their home advantage, but because there is a staggering gulf in player quality between Nigeria and Madagascar.

The Super Eagles' squad is worth €281.2 million, while Madagascar's 25-man group comes in at approximately €9.05 million based on the Transfermarkt valuations used for both squads. That means Nigeria's squad is worth more than 31 times as much as Madagascar's.

But where exactly does that difference come from?

A closer look at both squads shows that Nigeria's advantage is not simply about having one expensive superstar. The Super Eagles have greater market value in almost every area of the pitch, while Madagascar's squad is built around a smaller group of experienced players whose value does not fully show their international importance.

Goalkeepers: Nigeria's Biggest Individual Gap

Nigeria's goalkeeping department is worth €15.8m, compared with a considerably smaller figure for Madagascar.

Maduka Okoye alone is valued at €10m, while Arthur Okonkwo is worth €5m and Stanley Nwabali €800,000. However, the numbers may not tell the whole story here.

Nwabali, who played a major role in Nigeria's run to the 2025 AFCON bronze medal, has become an established international goalkeeper despite his relatively modest market valuation. The likely cause for that is his age and the fact that he plies his trade in Africa.

Madagascar, meanwhile, have brought Zacharie Boucher into the squad alongside Geordan Dupire and Nina Rakotoasimbola. Boucher, valued at €100k, provides considerable experience after years in French football, but Madagascar's goalkeeping group does not come close to matching Nigeria financially.

Defence: Bassey Gives Nigeria a Huge Advantage

The difference becomes even more obvious in defence. Nigeria's defensive group is valued at €82.4m, with Calvin Bassey leading the way at €28m. The Fulham defender alone is worth more than three times Madagascar's entire squad.

Ola Aina and Emmanuel Fernandez are each valued at €18m, while Chibuike Nwaiwu is worth €10m. Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Semi Ajayi and the younger defenders add further value.

Madagascar's defence is led by players such as Andy Pelmard (€2.00m) and Mathieu Acapandié (€700k), but their valuations are nowhere near Nigeria's leading defenders.

Meanwhile Andy Pelmard is one of the names Nigeria cannot afford to overlook. His experience in European football gives Madagascar an experienced option at the back, even if the market values suggest a huge difference in individual quality.

Midfield: Nigeria's €59m engine room vs Madagascar's experience

Nigeria's midfield is valued at approximately €59m, with Raphael Onyedika leading the group at €23m.

Alex Iwobi is valued at €20m, while Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka are both worth €8m.

That gives Chelle a midfield containing players with extensive Premier League, Bundesliga and European competition experience.

Madagascar's midfield, by contrast, is built around experience rather than high market value.

Rayan Raveloson and Marco Ilaimaharitra are the two most recognisable names in the group.

Raveloson is valued at around €1m, while Ilaimaharitra comes in at approximately €800,000.

The numbers show the financial gulf, but their international experience means Nigeria cannot simply assume the midfield battle will be straightforward.

Madagascar also reached the final of the recent African Nations Championship, giving Corentin Martins' side another reason to believe they can compete beyond what their transfer valuations suggest.

Attack: This Is Where The Gap Becomes Bigger

The biggest difference comes in attack. Nigeria's forwards were valued at approximately €124m, and at the top of that group is Ademola Lookman, valued at €40m.

With Victor Osimhen unavailable through injury, Lookman becomes even more important to Eric Chelle's plans. The Atlético Madrid forward is Nigeria's most valuable player in the squad and is worth more than four times the value of Madagascar's entire squad.

Nigeria also have Tolu Arokodare (€20m), Samuel Chukwueze (€18m), Akor Adams (€15m), George Ilenikhena (€10m), Taiwo Awoniyi (€8m), Moses Simon (€7m) and Usor (€6m).

Madagascar simply cannot match that depth financially. But the Barea have players who can cause problems.

Warren Caddy, Hakim Abdallah and Arnaud Randrianantenaina give Martins options in attack, while Loïc Lapoussin can provide creativity from wider areas.

Caddy in particular offers Madagascar a physical presence that could test Nigeria's centre-backs if the visitors are allowed to attack space.

The 31x Gap Is Huge — But The Super Eagles Must Prove It

Nigeria hasthe more valuable squad in every major department, with Lookman and Bassey alone representing a combined €68m.

But Madagascar have already shown that market value does not decide football matches.

The Barea famously defeated Nigeria 2-0 at the 2019 AFCON, finishing top of their group ahead of the Super Eagles.

That history matters because Madagascar's route to success is unlikely to involve matching Nigeria player-for-player.

Instead, Martins' side will have to make their organisation, experience and collective strength count against a Nigerian team whose individual market values are vastly higher.

For Chelle, the challenge is therefore clear: turn the 31x advantage on paper into an advantage on the pitch.