Nigeria will host Madagascar on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo in their opening Group L qualifier. They then travel to face Guinea-Bissau on 29 September.
Camp opened on Monday as players started arriving at the team’s base. Head coach Eric Chelle and his backroom staff are already in Akwa Ibom. Madagascar also landed in Nigeria on Monday to complete their own preparations.
Chelle has named a 24-man squad for the two fixtures. Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been called up to replace injured captain Victor Osimhen, who is recovering from a muscle strain and will miss both matches. Galatasaray informed the national team that the striker would not be ready in time.
Osimhen’s absence is a significant blow to Nigeria’s attack. Chelle still has options including Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare, alongside captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. The squad also includes first senior call-ups for goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, defender Isaac James and forward George Ilenikhena.
The first 15 minutes of Tuesday’s session will be open to the media. Selected players will also be available for interviews on Wednesday at the team hotel in Ikot Ekpene.
The 2027 AFCON finals will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July. Nigeria, who missed out on the 2026 World Cup after a poor start to qualifying, will be eager to begin this campaign with a positive result.
Chelle has only a short window to settle his side and integrate returning and new players before Friday’s home opener. A strong start against Madagascar would ease early pressure as the Super Eagles chase a place at the next continental finals.