Nigeria Super Eagles AFCON qualifying campaign

The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, is navigating a volatile qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in Group L. The team began the campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory against Madagascar, but momentum shifted following a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau. Because Tanzania is a tournament co-host and has already qualified, only the highest-placed team among Nigeria, Madagascar, and Guinea-Bissau will secure a spot in the finals.

Nigeria currently trails Guinea-Bissau by three points. The campaign has been marked by significant defensive struggles, with the team failing to record a clean sheet in five consecutive matches, including friendlies against Poland, Portugal, and Russia.

Under coach Éric Chelle, the squad is integrating new talent. A recent 3-3 friendly draw against Russia featured nine senior international debuts. While the team maintains a strong attacking lineup, analysts indicate that stabilizing the defense will be critical for upcoming matches in Uyo and Dar es Salaam.