The Super Eagles are set for a crucial test this week, head coach Eric Chelle has assured fans his team is fully focused.
Nigeria takes on Madagascar on Friday in their 2027 AFCON qualifying opener, the match will hold at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
This Super Eagles Madagascar clash marks the start of a new qualifying campaign, Chelle addressed the media during Thursday’s pre-match press conference.
He confirmed the team has moved past their last World Cup qualifier setback, according to him, players are now fully prepared for Friday’s game.
“It is our job to manage pressure, as the qualifiers start tomorrow. We have to be ready for the group match. For us and the country, there is a big game tomorrow. We had our last training session today and we have prepared well for this game,” Chelle said.
Preparations officially began on Tuesday at the team’s training camp, most players arrived that day ahead of the evening training session.
Twenty-three players took part in the opening session under Chelle’s guidance, Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye remains the last player expected to join camp.
This Super Eagles Madagascar clash carries extra weight for the coach’s ambitions, Chelle wants his team to send a strong message early on.
“The first idea is to give a signal to everybody that Nigeria is a good team, and my players are in good state of mind and understand what’s at stake. This isn’t time to have doubts because we are in Uyo to win. My players on the field will be very aggressive and put a lot of intensity,” he said.
Nigeria will be without key players for this opening fixture as Victor Osimhen withdrew from the squad to continue recovering from injury.
Chelle acknowledged the absences but expressed confidence in his available squad, he said Femi Azeez, Osimhen, Dele Bashiru and others would have been considered.
The coach also recalled Madagascar’s win over Nigeria back in 2019, still, he insisted his team is ready to fight until the final whistle.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi echoed his coach’s determination ahead of kickoff, he admitted their last World Cup qualifying campaign started poorly.
“We are going to approach this game with all seriousness because the first game in every competition is very important. We’re focused to set the momentum in these qualifiers to build our confidence ahead of subsequent games,” Ndidi said.
He stressed that pressure is simply part of playing for Nigeria.
“I don’t know about other teams in the group, but for us, as the coach said, pressure is part of our game, so we try to play through the pressure. The most important thing is that as a team, we are ready to make Nigerians proud against Madagascar. We don’t care who qualified in other groups,” he said.
Madagascar’s coach, Corentin Martins, also spoke ahead of the encounter, he confirmed his team traveled to Nigeria to fight for a win.
“We know Nigeria has a good team and they have great players playing in different parts of the world, but we will give our best. Our main objective is to qualify for the 2027 AFCON,” Martins said.
Nigeria sits in Group L alongside Madagascar, Tanzania, and Guinea-Bissau, since Tanzania automatically qualifies as co-host, only the top remaining team advances.
After Friday’s match, Nigeria travels to Guinea-Bissau for their next qualifier on September 29, the Super Eagles hope to build on their bronze medal finish at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
