Nigeria begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar (today), with the Super Eagles aiming to secure an early advantage in Group L.
The match takes place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm Nigerian time.
Nigeria are grouped with Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania, who are co-hosts of the 2027 tournament and have already secured a place at the finals.
As a result, only the highest-placed team among Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau will claim the remaining qualifying spot from Group L.
Nigeria will travel to face Guinea-Bissau in their second group fixture this week while Madagascar take on Tanzania.
Eight matches played.
The qualifying series opened with eight Match Day 1 fixtures across the continent
In Group C, Côte d’Ivoire defeated Ghana 2-0, with Malick Yalcouyé and Franck Kessié scoring for the hosts.
DR Congo also began their Group E campaign with a 2-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea. Chancel Mbemba opened the scoring before Yoane Wissa doubled the lead in the second half.
Zimbabwe came from two goals down to beat Sierra Leone 3-2. Sierra Leone led 2-0 at half-time through Alie Conteh and Sallieu Tarawallie, but Marshall Munetsi scored twice and Tawanda Chirewa completed the comeback.
Mauritania recovered from a first-half setback to defeat the Central African Republic 3-1 in Group F, while Namibia edged Congo 1-0 in Group G through Bethuel Muzeu’s 47th-minute goal.
Cameroon also recorded a 3-1 victory over Comoros, with David Roy Nyengue, Bryan Mbeumo and Daniel Namaso scoring for the hosts.
In Group H, Tunisia were held to a 1-1 draw by Uganda. Ali Arous put Tunisia ahead before Rogers Mato equalised.
Libya fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Botswana. Tumisang Orebonye scored twice for Botswana before Maruwan Alhibeeshi and Ezoo El Mariamy’s stoppage-time penalty levelled the match.
Friday’s fixtures
Friday’s programme features several matches across the qualifying groups, including Nigeria’s meeting with Madagascar.
Other fixtures are Niger v Lesotho, Morocco v Gabon, Malawi v South Sudan, Egypt v Angola, Gambia v Somalia, Burkina Faso v Benin, Togo v Burundi, Algeria v Zambia, Sudan v Ethiopia, Senegal v Mozambique, Rwanda v Liberia, Mali v Cape Verde and Tanzania v Guinea-Bissau.
The Match Day 1 programme will conclude on Saturday with Kenya facing Eritrea and South Africa taking on Guinea.
