Former Super Eagles striker Benedict Akwuegbu has backed Nigeria to overcome Madagascar in Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, insisting Éric Chelle’s side possesses enough quality to handle whatever the visitors bring to Uyo.
Akwuegbu believes the Super Eagles are in a good place ahead of their Group L opener and expects the players to respond positively despite the absence of injured striker Victor Osimhen.
“Madagascar are not a threat to Nigeria,” Akwuegbu said, expressing confidence in the quality available to Chelle.
The former Nigeria international acknowledged football’s unpredictability but maintained that, if the Super Eagles perform to their potential, they should have enough to begin the qualification campaign with three points.
There is also a fascinating personal connection between Akwuegbu and this fixture.
When Nigeria hosted Madagascar during qualification for the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, Akwuegbu scored in the fourth minute to secure a 1-0 victory in Benin City.
Madagascar, however, have since demonstrated why reputation alone cannot decide the fixture. The Barea famously defeated Nigeria 2-0 at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, finishing above the Super Eagles in their group before eventually reaching the quarterfinals.
Nigeria will also play Friday without Osimhen, who has been ruled out of the Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau qualifiers with a muscle injury. Taiwo Awoniyi has been recalled as his replacement.
Chelle can still call upon attacking options including Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare.
Akwuegbu accepts that Madagascar must be respected, particularly given football’s capacity to produce surprises. But the former striker who once scored the goal that beat the Barea remains confident about Friday.
For him, the expectation is clear: Nigeria have the quality, home advantage and motivation to begin the road to AFCON 2027 with victory.
