By Gabriel Ameh
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are set to return to competitive action this week as they begin their campaign in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The Super Eagles will open their Group L campaign against Madagascar on Friday, September 25, before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau four days later.
According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Nigeria will host Madagascar in the opening match at 16:00 GMT on September 25, while the second qualifier against Guinea-Bissau is scheduled for September 29 in Bissau.
Nigeria vs Madagascar
Date: September 25, 2026
Competition: AFCON 2027 Qualifier
Venue: Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo
Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria
Date: September 29, 2026
Competition: AFCON 2027 Qualifier
Venue: Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
Following the two qualifying fixtures, Nigeria will face Russia in an international friendly on October 6 at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Russia. The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed the fixture as the second meeting between both nations in 16 months.
The AFCON qualifiers will be particularly important for Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, as co-host Tanzania has already secured automatic qualification from Group L. CAF says the highest-placed team among the remaining nations in the group will advance to the 2027 tournament.
Nigeria will, however, begin the campaign without striker Victor Osimhen, who has been ruled out of the opening two qualifiers as he continues his recovery from a muscle injury.
The 2027 AFCON finals will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
