Chelle Orders Eagles to Pick All Six Points against Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau

Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle has set his team to aggressively pursue six points against Madagascar in Nigeria's inaugural match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria, after suffering consecutive World Cup absences and finishing as runners-up and third place in the past two AFCON editions, cannot afford to underestimate the formidable Madagascar squad, who are aiming for the three available points against the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday evening.

Chelle emphasized that the Eagles must demonstrate their intent and determination from the outset, stating, "We have to show everyone from Day One that we want it, and the only way to do that is to go for it with our hearts, and refuse to slow down at any point. We must go for the points without any hesitation." The Eagles will face Guinea-Bissau two days later, on Tuesday, 29th September, at the 24 September Stadium.

In preparation for the match, the Eagles' squad includes dependable defender Ola Aina, utility youngster Benjamin Fredricks, and forward Taiwo Awoniyi, who has been called up due to Victor Osimhen's absence. Chelle faces a dilemma in selecting a goalkeeper, as both Maduka Okoye and Stanley Nwabali are fit and available. On the defensive side, Fredericks, Aina, Bruno Onyemaechi, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, and Bright Osayi-Samuel are set to start alongside Turkey-based Chibuike Nwaiwu.

Up front, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Samuel Chukwueze, and the new boy George Ilenikhena are in excellent form. The match against Madagascar will evoke memories of past encounters between the two nations at the senior level. In 2010, the Super Eagles won the fixture 2-0 in Calabar, while a year later in Antananarivo, they secured another 2-0 victory.

However, in June 2019, Madagascar staged one of the most significant upsets in AFCON history by defeating Nigeria 2-0 in a group stage match in Alexandria, Egypt.