The Super Eagles, Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team, were drawn into Group L of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers alongside Madagascar, Tanzania, and Guinea-Bissau. Nigeria opens its campaign hosting Madagascar in Uyo on September 23, 2026, before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau on September 27. Because co-host Tanzania has an automatic spot at the finals, only one of the remaining three teams will qualify from the group.
Nigeria’s road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, begins this September. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) draw handed the three-time African champions a group that looks manageable on paper but carries a genuine complication once you look closer. Here is everything to know about Nigeria’s group, fixtures, and opponents heading into the campaign.
Who Are Nigeria’s Opponents in Group L?
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) conducted the qualifying draw in Cairo on May 19, 2026, placing Nigeria alongside three familiar national football teams.
| Opponent | Key Context |
|---|---|
| Madagascar | Reached the AFCON 2019 quarter-finals; beat Nigeria during that tournament |
| TanzaniaCo-Host | Co-host nation of AFCON 2027; already has an automatic spot at the finals |
| Guinea-Bissau | Fourth straight AFCON qualifying campaign; beat Nigeria 1-0 in Abuja in March 2023 |
The twist in this group is Tanzania’s status as a co-host nation of AFCON 2027. Since Tanzania is already guaranteed a place at the tournament regardless of how qualifying goes, only one of the remaining three teams, Nigeria, Madagascar, or Guinea-Bissau, will actually claim the group’s one available qualifying spot. The Super Eagles are strong favourites on paper, but the margin for error is tighter than a normal four-team group would suggest, since Tanzania will still be taking points off everyone else along the way.
Super Eagles AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Fixture Schedule
The qualifying campaign for Nigeria’s Super Eagles is split across three FIFA international windows.
| Window | Date | Fixture |
|---|---|---|
| Matchday 1Sep 23 | September 23, 2026 | Nigeria vs Madagascar (Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo) |
| Matchday 2 | September 27, 2026 | Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria (away) |
| Matchday 3 & 4 | November 9–17, 2026 | Fixtures to be confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) |
| Matchday 5 & 6 | March 20–30, 2027 | Closing pair of qualifiers |
This year’s September and October international breaks have been merged into a single extended FIFA window, meaning Nigeria’s opening two matches fall inside one long stretch rather than two separate breaks, a scheduling change that gives head coach Eric Chelle’s squad more continuous preparation time before matchday one.
How Dangerous Are Nigeria’s Group L Opponents?
- Madagascar’s national football team have the strongest recent knockout pedigree of the three, reaching the AFCON 2019 quarter-finals by beating Ghana and eliminating DR Congo before Tunisia ended their run. Captain Rayan Raveloson remains a key goal threat from midfield.
- Guinea-Bissau’s national football team have made four straight AFCON appearances but have never escaped the group stage. They have beaten Nigeria before, a 1-0 win in Abuja in March 2023, with forward Mama Balde as their most dangerous attacking threat.
- Tanzania’s national football team, despite their automatic qualification as AFCON 2027 co-hosts, are still playing every match and will affect the group’s final standings even though they cannot be eliminated.
This qualifying campaign also arrives during a turbulent period for Nigerian football administration, following the resignation of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau and members of the Executive Committee, meaning the Super Eagles begin this campaign under a transitional football administration.
When Is AFCON 2027?
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations tournament runs from June 19 to July 17, 2027, hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, the first AFCON tournament ever staged across three countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which group are the Super Eagles in for AFCON 2027 qualifiers?
The Super Eagles, Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team, are in Group L alongside Madagascar, Tanzania, and Guinea-Bissau.
When is Nigeria’s first AFCON 2027 qualifying match?
September 23, 2026, at home against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, followed by an away match against Guinea-Bissau on September 27.
How many teams qualify from Nigeria’s AFCON 2027 group?
Only one, since co-host Tanzania already has an automatic spot at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals regardless of its qualifying results.
This page is updated with confirmed matchday 3-6 fixtures and results as the campaign progresses. For more Nigerian sport and political coverage, browse our full Sports and Politics sections.