Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been drawn in a three-team group for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, with Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau standing between them and a place at the continental tournament.
The draw, conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Cairo on May 19, 2026, placed Nigeria in Group L alongside the three nations.
The 2027 AFCON will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
Tanzania’s inclusion in Nigeria’s group creates a unique qualification situation because the Taifa Stars are already guaranteed a place at the finals as one of the host nations.
As a result, only one team apart from Tanzania will qualify from Group L.
Madagascar
Madagascar will be one of Nigeria’s main challengers in the group.
The two countries have met in previous AFCON qualifying campaigns, including the race for the 2012 tournament, when Nigeria defeated Madagascar home and away.
However, Madagascar have grown into a more competitive force in African football in recent years.
Their biggest achievement came at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, where they produced a surprise run to the quarter-finals.
Nigeria will therefore be expected to take the fixtures seriously, with the results potentially playing a major role in deciding which team finishes as the group’s top qualifier.
Tanzania
Tanzania are the co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON and have already secured their place at the tournament.
Despite their automatic qualification, the Taifa Stars will participate in the qualifying campaign alongside Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Because Tanzania already have a guaranteed place at the finals, only the highest-ranked team among the remaining sides will earn the group’s qualification ticket.
Nigeria and Tanzania are also familiar opponents.
The two nations were drawn together in qualifying for the 2017 AFCON. Their first meeting in Dar es Salaam ended goalless before Nigeria secured a 1-0 victory in Uyo, with Kelechi Iheanacho scoring the decisive goal.
The upcoming fixtures will renew that rivalry as the Super Eagles seek to secure the group’s only available qualification spot.
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau complete Nigeria’s Group L opponents.
The two West African nations also met during the qualifying campaign for the 2023 AFCON.
Guinea-Bissau caused a major upset by defeating Nigeria in Abuja before the Super Eagles responded with a victory in Bissau.
The Djurtus have become regular participants at the AFCON in recent years and will be looking to produce another strong performance against Nigeria.
Their previous victory in Abuja also serves as a warning to the Super Eagles that none of their opponents can be taken lightly.
When Will Nigeria Begin Their AFCON Qualifiers?
The first two matchdays of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers are scheduled to take place during the FIFA international window from September 21 to October 6, 2026.
Matchdays three and four are scheduled for November 9 to 17, 2026, while the final two rounds will be played between March 22 and 30, 2027.
With Tanzania already assured of a place at the finals, Nigeria’s primary objective will be to finish above Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau and secure the group’s sole qualification ticket.
The Super Eagles entered the draw in Pot 1 alongside several of Africa’s top-ranked football nations, underlining their status among the continent’s leading teams.
The qualification campaign will give Nigeria another opportunity to reach the AFCON finals after their impressive performance at the 2025 edition, where they finished third.
For the Super Eagles, the equation is straightforward: finish above Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, and Nigeria will book their place at the 2027 AFCON.
