Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi says Nigeria are treating the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign as a fresh start, insisting the immediate priority is to secure a positive result against Madagascar in Uyo.
Nigeria begin their Group L campaign at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday before travelling to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau, with Eric Chelle’s side determined to avoid the kind of difficult start that complicated their unsuccessful 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Iwobi believes the mood within camp reflects a team ready to move forward.
“It’s a fresh start for us,” Iwobi said ahead of the Madagascar encounter. “We’re feeling confident and we’re ready.”
The Fulham midfielder is convinced Nigeria possess enough quality to secure another appearance at the continental championship, but he stressed that qualification cannot be taken for granted.
“We believe we have what it takes to qualify,” he said. “But first we have to focus on Madagascar and make sure we get a positive result.”
Iwobi is one of the most experienced players in Chelle’s squad, having accumulated more than 80 appearances for Nigeria since making his senior international debut in 2015. He was part of the Super Eagles side that reached the final of the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire.
Nigeria’s latest campaign features a mixture of established internationals and newcomers, with George Ilenikhena, Moses Usor and Isaac James receiving their first senior call-ups. Iwobi and other experienced members of the squad are expected to provide leadership as Chelle integrates the new faces.
Madagascar also arrive with history against Nigeria, having stunned the Super Eagles 2-0 at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt to finish above them in their group.
That result offers another warning against complacency, but Iwobi’s focus is firmly on the present.
After the disappointment of missing the World Cup, the midfielder sees Friday as an opportunity to begin a new chapter one match, one result and Nigeria hope, the first three points on the road to AFCON 2027.
