Super Eagles news: Six points from Tanzania set up a March decider

Two wins over co-hosts Tanzania in November would lift the Super Eagles to nine points in AFCON 2027 qualifying Group L and leave the group's only live place to be settled in March.

Nigeria have three points from two games, after a 2-1 win over Madagascar in Uyo and a 3-0 defeat at Guinea-Bissau. Guinea-Bissau lead with six points and a goal difference of +5, while Madagascar and Tanzania have one point each. Tanzania, as co-hosts of the finals, have a place already, so only the best-placed of the other three sides goes through.

Soccernet set out the Group L table before the Tanzania games earlier this week. This piece looks at what happens after them.

What is left after November

Nigeria's remaining fixtures are the two Tanzania games in mid-November, an away game at Madagascar and a home game against Guinea-Bissau on 28 March 2027. The Guinea-Bissau tie is Nigeria's only remaining meeting with the leaders.

Victor Osimhen is reported by Legit.ng to be returning to the squad after missing the last qualifiers with a right adductor and groin strain. The same report says Kelechi Iheanacho is also reportedly back, as relayed by OwnGoal Nigeria.

Analysis: Why the Tanzania double-header matters most

Six points would take Nigeria to nine, three clear of Guinea-Bissau's current total, and would put the 28 March game against the leaders at the centre of the race. Anything less would leave Nigeria depending on results elsewhere in the group.

Nigeria have also gone five games without a clean sheet, as Soccernet reported before the Tanzania games. If that run continues, the margin for error shrinks, because the 3-0 loss in Bissau already sits in Nigeria's goal difference.

Everything in the group still hinges on the two Tanzania games, and Nigeria go into them needing to win both.