Afcon 2027 qualifiers: Three-time African champions Nigeria discover opponents

The Super Eagles have been drawn in Group L of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where they will face Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau in a competitive qualifying campaign.

The draw for the qualifiers was conducted in Cairo, Egypt, under the supervision of the Confederation of African Football, officially setting the pathway to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in a historic three-nation format.

The expanded qualification system features 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four, with nations battling for places at the finals scheduled for June 19 to July 17, 2027.

CAF has confirmed that the top two teams in each group will qualify automatically, although adjustments apply in groups involving the three host nations, who already have guaranteed places at the tournament.

Nigeria, three-time African champions, enter the qualifiers as one of the continent’s traditional heavyweights.

The Super Eagles won the AFCON title in 1980, 1994 and 2013, and remain one of Africa’s most consistent performers in recent editions.

Their recent form includes a runner-up finish in 2023 and a third-place finish in 2025, reinforcing their status among the continent’s elite sides.

Group L presents a mix of tactical and physical challenges. Madagascar have developed a reputation for disciplined and structured football, while Tanzania continue to improve steadily on home soil and in regional competitions.

Guinea-Bissau, on the other hand, are known for their physical intensity and ability to frustrate higher-ranked opponents, making the group highly unpredictable.

The qualification series will be played across FIFA international windows between September 2026 and March 2027, with teams expected to endure a demanding schedule of home-and-away fixtures.