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| Photo Credit: Wilfred Ndidi — Super Eagles Captain |
Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has made it clear that Nigeria will not tolerate another sluggish beginning to a major qualifying campaign.
The midfielder delivered the message ahead of Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Kick-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. local time as Group L action begins.
Nigeria’s failure to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup still hangs over the squad. A difficult opening sequence in those qualifiers left the team playing catch-up, and they ultimately fell short despite a late recovery. Ndidi, now captain and playing his club football with Beşiktaş, insisted the group has learned from that experience.
“The start was really, really poor, really bad,” he told reporters. “And it will never happen again because this is a focused team. We are planning to set the momentum… because the first game is the most important game in every competition.”
A positive result against Madagascar, he added, would give the side the confidence needed for the rest of the campaign. Ndidi also urged his teammates to concentrate on their own performances and collect as many points as possible rather than getting drawn into external noise or complicated qualification scenarios.
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Group L context and why this match matters
Nigeria sit in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania. Because Tanzania are co-hosts of the 2027 tournament (alongside Kenya and Uganda), they are already guaranteed a place at the finals. That means only one additional qualification spot is available from the remaining three teams. Every point will count, and dropping points early could prove costly.
Head coach Éric Chelle’s side enter the campaign without star striker Victor Osimhen, who is sidelined by injury. The squad still contains experienced options and several players who featured when Nigeria finished third at the 2025 AFCON.
Head-to-head record
Nigeria and Madagascar have met several times in recent years. The most memorable recent clash came at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, when the Barea produced a shock 2-0 victory in the group stage. In AFCON qualifying meetings, however, Nigeria hold the upper hand, with three wins and one draw from four previous encounters.
Madagascar remain capable of causing problems on their day, and the Super Eagles will be mindful of that history as they look to start strongly on home soil.
Looking ahead
A solid performance and three points against Madagascar would give Nigeria the ideal platform before they travel to face Guinea-Bissau later in the international window. For Ndidi and his teammates, the message is simple: focus on the next match, control what they can control, and build momentum from the first whistle.
The Super Eagles know the cost of a slow start. On Friday in Uyo, they have the chance to prove they have moved on from the disappointment of the last World Cup cycle.
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