Nigeria vs Madagascar: Preview, team news, predictions as Barea eye win against Super Eagles

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign against Madagascar on Friday evening, with Éric Chelle's side aiming to start Group L with a victory at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria will be without Victor Osimhen after the Galatasaray striker was ruled out with a muscle injury, but Chelle still has several attacking options available as the Super Eagles begin their pursuit of a place at the 2027 continental tournament.

The visitors have also travelled to Uyo early enough to prepare for the contest, with coach Corentin Martins and his squad arriving in Nigeria on Monday ahead of Friday's encounter.

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Nigeria vs Madagascar – Match Preview

The fixture carries huge weight for both nations because Tanzania's status as one of the three co-hosts means they have already qualified for AFCON 2027.

Consequently, Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau are effectively competing for the single remaining qualification place available to the highest-ranked non-host nation in Group L.

That makes a positive start very important for Chelle's team, especially with Nigeria travelling to Guinea-Bissau four days after Friday's match.

The Super Eagles have not played a competitive fixture since their third-place AFCON 2025 meeting against Egypt in Morocco, but their most recent international results offer encouragement.

Nigeria beat Iran 2-1 in March before defeating Zimbabwe 2-0 and Jamaica 3-0 in May. Chelle's team then drew 2-2 with Poland and lost narrowly to Portugal 2-1 in June.

Madagascar's recent record has been mixed. The Barea lost 4-0 to Morocco in June, but had previously beaten Kyrgyzstan 5-2, Equatorial Guinea 2-0 and Comoros 2-1, while suffering a 4-1 defeat to Mali back in October.

Nigeria will also have to avoid being complacent against an opponent that has already demonstrated its ability to trouble the Super Eagles.

Under the floodlights 🎽. pic.twitter.com/S0khebd6BC

— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) September 22, 2026

Head-to-head: Nigeria vs Madagascar

Nigeria have the upper hand in their previous meetings with Madagascar, winning three of their five encounters, while one ended in a draw and the Barea have claimed one victory.

The Super Eagles won the first three of their four AFCON qualifying meetings, beating Madagascar 1–0 in 2001 before recording 2–0 victories in both 2010 and 2011.

However, Madagascar produced a memorable upset the last time the two sides met, defeating Nigeria 2–0 in their final Group B game at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. The result saw the Barea finish top of the group, while Nigeria progressed as runners-up.

That result remains Madagascar's only victory over the Super Eagles and adds an interesting subplot to Friday's Group L opener, with Nigeria looking to avoid another surprise against a side that has already proved to be capable of beating them.

Super Eagles Team News

Nigeria's biggest news is Osimhen's absence. The Galatasaray striker was initially included in Chelle's 24-man squad but was subsequently ruled out after continuing his recovery from a muscle injury.

Taiwo Awoniyi has consequently been brought into the squad as his replacement, giving Chelle another centre-forward option for the Uyo clash.

The Super Eagles coach otherwise retained an experienced core, including Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey and Stanley Nwabali.

Isaac James and George Ilenikhena are among the players hoping to make their senior international debuts after receiving their first competitive call-ups.

Away from Osimhen, other Nigerian players currently injured are alongside Alhassan Yusuf, Zaidu Sanusi, Tochukwu Nnadi, Christian Akpan, Femi Azeez and Igoh Ogbu.

Madagascar's squad contains experienced players such as Rayan Raveloson, Marco Ilaimaharitra and Loïc Lapoussin, while Warren Caddy has returned to the national team.

Goalkeeper Zacharie Boucher was initially handed his first Madagascar call-up but was subsequently withdrawn following the resurfacing of controversial comments he made in 2018 about representing the country.

Interestingly, Boucher was observed training with the Madagascar group in Uyo on Tuesday, although there has been no formal announcement confirming his reinstatement.

Match Details

• Fixture: Nigeria vs Madagascar
• Tournament: Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers – Group L
• Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
• Time: 5:00 PM Nigerian time / 4:00 PM GMT
• Venue: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo
• Referee: Alhadi Allaou Mahamat (Chad)
• Stadium capacity: 30,000
• Surface: Grass

Madagascar's football federation has also confirmed that Canal+ Sport 1 will broadcast the match live, with kick-off listed as 7:00 PM Madagascar time.

Possible Lineups

Nigeria: Stanley Nwabali; Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi; Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi; Ademola Lookman; Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams.

Madagascar: Geordan Dupire; Andy Pelmard, Thomas Fontaine, Rado Rabemanantsoa, Mathieu Acapandié; Marco Ilaimaharitra, Rayan Raveloson, Loïc Lapoussin; Warren Caddy, Hakim Abdallah, Arnaud Randrianantenaina.

Final Score Prediction: Nigeria 2-0 Madagascar

Nigeria's attacking depth should eventually tell in Uyo, even without Osimhen.

Lookman's ability to create from wide areas, Iwobi's creativity and the options available to Chelle in attack give the Super Eagles enough quality to break down Madagascar.

The visitors' recent results also suggest they can pose a threat, particularly through Raveloson, Lapoussin and Caddy, but Nigeria's experience and home advantage should see Chelle's men begin their AFCON qualifying campaign with three points.