AFCON 2027Q: 5 big matches Nigeria fans should watch after Super Eagles vs Madagascar

Nigeria’s AFCON 2027 campaign begins against Madagascar on Friday but the Super Eagles’ Group L opener is only one part of a packed first round of qualifying matches, Afrik-Foot reports.

Eric Chelle’s side will kick off at 5pm Nigerian time in a Matchday 1 programme that features 24 games across 12 groups from September 24 to 26.

The schedule gives Nigerian fans several chances to study teams that could become important opponents at next year’s tournament, with five matches standing out for their coaches, players, recent history and qualifying stakes.

AFCON 2027Q: Côte d’Ivoire vs Ghana

Thursday, September 24 | 19:00 GMT, 8pm Nigeria

The first major fixture pits two former African champions against each other in Bouaké, with Côte d’Ivoire hosting Ghana in Group C.

The match also starts Hervé Renard’s second spell as Côte d’Ivoire coach, after he led the Elephants to the 2015 AFCON title.

Renard has made eight changes to his squad by handing first senior opportunities to Patrick Zabi, Eddy Doué, Amadou Koné, Malick Yalcouyé, Christ Tapé, Kassoum Ouattara, Yann Gboho and Rayan Fofana.

Ghana will counter that fresh look with the return of Mohammed Kudus, who missed the 2026 World Cup campaign after a seven-month injury absence.

The Group C contest also involves The Gambia and Somalia, making the opening result important in a four-team section where the top two qualify.

The game gives Super Eagles fans an early look at how two other West African heavyweights start their AFCON qualifying campaign.

AFCON 2027Q: Senegal vs Mozambique

Friday, September 25 | 19:00 GMT, 8pm Nigeria

Patrick Vieira takes charge of Senegal in his first competitive match as coach when the reigning African champions face Mozambique.

Vieira succeeded Pape Thiaw and has selected a 29-man squad for the matches against Mozambique and Ethiopia.

The new coach will start without Sadio Mané, who is absent because of what Vieira described as a physical issue. It has been made clear that Mané has not retired from international football despite a false letter circulating after the World Cup.

Vieira still has major attacking options in Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr, while experienced figures such as Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Pape Matar Sarr provide a strong core.

Senegal will then travel to face Ethiopia on September 29, giving Vieira two competitive matches to begin shaping his team.

Nigeria fans can use the match to see how another leading African team adjusts to a new coach at the start of a major qualification campaign.

AFCON 2027Q: South Africa vs Guinea

Saturday, September 26 | 16:00 GMT, 5pm Nigeria

South Africa close Matchday 1 against Guinea in a Group D contest that carries an unusual qualification format.

Pitso Mosimane is back for his third spell as Bafana Bafana coach, and the meeting with Guinea will be his first competitive match since his return.

Mosimane has introduced five uncapped players to a squad that still includes established names such as Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena and Themba Zwane.

Guinea arrive with Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy as one of their main attacking threats, while coach Paulo Duarte has recalled Ilaix Moriba, Madiou Keïta and Saïdou Sow.

The group also contains Kenya and Eritrea, but Kenya are automatically qualified as co-hosts of AFCON 2027.

Only the highest-ranked team outside Kenya will therefore qualify from Group D, giving the South Africa-Guinea contest extra importance from the opening round.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles were beaten by South Africa to the direct ticket for the 2026 World Cup. The match, therefore, provides a close look at Mosimane’s return to international management and a South African side that Nigeria know well.

AFCON 2027Q: Mali vs Cape Verde

Friday, September 25 | 19:00 GMT, 8pm Nigeria

Mali and Cape Verde meet in Group K in one of the more intriguing matches outside the headline fixtures.

Mali have a direct connection to Nigeria through Chelle, who coached the Eagles before taking charge of the Super Eagles. He guided Mali to the AFCON 2023 quarter-finals before leaving the national-team job.

Cape Verde begin a new coaching cycle under Humberto Bettencourt, who was promoted from assistant coach after Bubista left to take charge of Moroccan club RS Berkane.

Bettencourt spent six years working alongside Bubista and was part of the technical team that guided Cape Verde to their first-ever World Cup appearance in 2026.

Their AFCON 2027 qualifying group also contains Rwanda and Liberia, with the top two teams qualifying because there is no automatically qualified host in Group K.

AFCON 2027Q: DR Congo vs Equatorial Guinea

Thursday, September 24 | 16:00 GMT, 5pm Nigeria

DR Congo open Group E at home against Equatorial Guinea in another fixture with a strong Nigerian connection.

The Leopards beat Nigeria 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw following extra time in the 2026 World Cup African play-off final in Rabat in November 2025.

DR Congo later qualified for the 2026 World Cup by beating Jamaica 1-0 after extra time in the intercontinental play-off, ending a 52-year wait for a return to the finals.

Equatorial Guinea have also developed a strong AFCON record in recent years, making this more than a routine opening fixture.

The other Group E game sends Sierra Leone against Zimbabwe on the same day, with the two highest-ranked teams qualifying from the section.

DR Congo’s recent history against the Super Eagles makes this a useful fixture for fans who want to track one of the teams that caused Nigeria’s most painful recent setbacks.