AFCON 2027: Chelle, Tinubu Aide Demand Fast Start As Super Eagles Target 6 Points

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle and the senior apecial adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Grassroots Sports Development, Prince Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, have urged Nigeria to make a strong start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The Super Eagles open their Group L campaign against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Friday before travelling to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, September 29.

Chelle is targeting maximum points from the opening two fixtures, saying an early cushion would help Nigeria avoid the uncertainty and pressure that characterised their unsuccessful 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

“We have to show everyone from Day One that we want it, and the only way to do that is to go for it with our hearts and refuse to slow down at any point,” Chelle said.

We must go for the points without any hesitation.”

Adeboye similarly warned the three-time African champions against complacency, urging the players to approach both fixtures with maximum concentration.

“My advice is that the Super Eagles should avoid complacency, be patriotic and take all the qualifying matches seriously so as to avoid a repeat performance of what happened during the last World Cup qualifiers,” he said.

Adeboye also cautioned Nigeria against underestimating Madagascar because of the Barea’s lower FIFA ranking.

He noted that the side, coached by Corentin Martins, have improved significantly and would be determined to return to the AFCON after missing the previous edition in Morocco.

“Though they are ranked lowly by FIFA, the team, having missed the last edition in Morocco, will not take anything for granted this time around,” Adeboye said.

The Barea also have a recent psychological advantage over Nigeria, having recorded a famous 2-0 victory over the Super Eagles at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, where they reached the quarter-finals.
Nigeria had already secured qualification for the knockout stage before that encounter.

The Super Eagles had previously defeated Madagascar 2-0 in Calabar during the 2012 AFCON qualifying campaign and repeated the scoreline in Antananarivo the following year.

Chelle will have several options available for Friday’s encounter, with Ola Aina and Benjamin Fredricks back in contention and Taiwo Awoniyi drafted into the squad following Victor Osimhen’s withdrawal through injury.

Maduka Okoye, Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo provide options in goal, while the defence also includes Bruno Onyemaechi, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Chibuike Nwaiwu.

In attack, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare and George Ilenikhena are among the options available to Chelle.

Adeboye also urged the players to justify the support they have received from the Federal Government.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not taken the welfare of sportsmen and women for granted. He has always supported them financially, morally and psychologically, and as such, they should reciprocate that gesture by not disappointing Nigerians,” he said.

With Madagascar arriving in Uyo determined to cause another upset, Nigeria will be seeking three points to establish early control of their qualifying campaign before the trip to Bissau.