Nigeria host Madagascar on Friday as the Super Eagles begin their qualification campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Eric Chelle's side are strong favourites to make a winning start in a group that also contains AFCON co-hosts Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau, whom they play on Tuesday.
However, they will have to cope without star striker Victor Osimhen, who is not involved as he recovers from a groin injury suffered on club duty with Galatasaray earlier this season. He was replaced in the squad by Coventry striker Taiwo Awoniyi as Nigeria look to give the home fans plenty to shout about at Uyo's Godswill Akpabio International Stadium this afternoon.
First outing since Unity Cup
It is their first outing since the Unity Cup and a pair of pre-World Cup friendlies against Poland and Portugal, with the Super Eagles having failed in their attempts to overturn an agonising play-off defeat on penalties to the DR Congo as they missed out on the tournament for the second time in succession.
Nigeria finished third at the last edition of AFCON in Morocco earlier this year and will hope to chase a fourth continental title next summer.
Match details
Kick-off time: 5pm BST, Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. It is the second game from Group L of Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualification as the Super Eagles take on Barea in a rematch from a group stage fixture at AFCON 2019.
