Nigeria will begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar on Friday (today), following the opening eight Match Day 1 fixtures played across the continent on Thursday.
The Super Eagles will face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm Nigerian time.
Nigeria are in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and co-hosts Tanzania, who already have a place at the 2027 tournament.
With Tanzania guaranteed qualification, the remaining spot in the group will go to the highest-placed team among Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Nigeria will travel to Guinea-Bissau for their second group fixture on Tuesday, while Madagascar will take on Tanzania.
Thursday’s opening results included Côte d’Ivoire’s 2-0 win over Ghana in Group C, with Malick Yalcouyé and Franck Kessié on target.
DR Congo also opened their Group E campaign with a 2-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea. Chancel Mbemba scored early before Yoane Wissa added the second in the second half.
Zimbabwe came from two goals down to defeat Sierra Leone 3-2. Alie Conteh and Sallieu Tarawallie put Sierra Leone 2-0 ahead before Marshall Munetsi scored twice and Tawanda Chirewa completed Zimbabwe’s comeback.
Mauritania recorded a 3-1 victory over the Central African Republic in Group F. Aboubakary Koïta, Dawda Camara and Mamadou Diallo scored for the hosts.
In Group G, Namibia edged Congo 1-0 through Bethuel Muzeu’s 47th-minute goal, while Cameroon defeated Comoros 3-1. David Roy Nyengue, Bryan Mbeumo and Daniel Namaso scored for Cameroon, with Comoros briefly reducing the deficit through a free-kick.
Tunisia were held to a 1-1 draw by Uganda in Group H. Ali Arous gave Tunisia the lead before Rogers Mato equalised.
Libya also fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Botswana. Tumisang Orebonye scored twice for Botswana, while Maruwan Alhibeeshi and Ezoo El Mariamy’s stoppage-time penalty secured a point for Libya.
Friday’s other fixtures include Niger against Lesotho, Morocco versus Gabon, Malawi against South Sudan, Egypt versus Angola, Gambia against Somalia and Burkina Faso versus Benin.
Togo will face Burundi, while Algeria meet Zambia. Sudan take on Ethiopia, Senegal play Mozambique, Rwanda face Liberia and Mali meet Cape Verde.
Tanzania will also face Guinea-Bissau in Group L on Friday.
The first round of fixtures will be completed on Saturday when Kenya face Eritrea and South Africa take on Guinea.
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