Nigeria vs Madagascar: Confirmed team news and Super Eagles predicted XI

Nigeria vs Madagascar is the opening fixture for the Super Eagles as the three-time African champions begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against the Barea on Friday, Afrik-Foot reports.

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle will have to solve a problem he did not expect when he named his original squad.

Victor Osimhen will not be available for the Group L opener at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo after the Galatasaray striker was ruled out with a muscle injury. The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed that the 27-year-old will miss both September qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau as he continues his recovery.

Osimhen suffered the injury during Galatasaray’s league meeting with Başakşehir, leaving the game in the 33rd minute. His initial recovery period was estimated at at least two weeks, but he did not recover quickly enough to feature for the Super Eagles.

Taiwo Awoniyi has subsequently returned to the national team setup, giving Chelle another experienced centre-forward option.

The change also opens the door for a different attacking structure, with Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams and George Ilenikhena among the other forwards available to the coach.

Twenty-three of the invited 24 players reported to camp withing the first 24 hours with Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye the only odd one out. The former Watford goalie was held back in Italy due to club commitments and should join the camp shortly.

Nigeria vs Madagascar: Super Eagles predicted XI

Nigeria vs Madagascar: Nwabali tipped to reclaim the gloves

GK: Stanley Nwabali

Stanley Nwabali is expected to start in goal, despite Arthur Okonkwo’s emergence as an intriguing new option.

Nwabali returned to Chelle’s squad alongside Maduka Okoye and Charlton Athletic shot-stopper Okonkwo. The Chippa United goalkeeper was recalled after missing recent international assignments.

Okonkwo, who switched his international allegiance from England to Nigeria, made his senior debut during the Unity Cup and has now been given another opportunity to challenge for a place in the Super Eagles squad.

Nwabali’s previous major-tournament experience gives him an advantage in a competitive qualifier, particularly with Nigeria opening a campaign in which there is little room for an early slip.

Nigeria vs Madagascar: Aina, Ajayi and Bassey form the defensive core

DF: Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi

Ola Aina is expected to return at right-back after his recall to the national team.

Aina missed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations because of an injury suffered a year ago while in international duty. His return is one of the notable changes in Chelle’s squad, with the Nottingham Forest defender providing another experienced option in a defence affected by Zaidu Sanusi’s absence.

Semi Ajayi partners Calvin Bassey in the centre of the defence in this predicted XI. Ajayi offers experience and aerial strength, while Bassey’s left-footed distribution can help Nigeria build attacks from the back.

Bruno Onyemaechi gets the nod at left-back, giving the defence a natural option on both sides.

Benjamin Fredricks and Bright Osayi-Samuel are among the alternatives Chelle can turn to, while Isaac James has also been introduced to the senior squad after earning his first call-up.

The predicted back four is therefore:

Aina | Ajayi | Bassey | Onyemaechi

Nigeria vs Madagascar: Ndidi and Onyeka give Iwobi room to attack

MF: Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi

The midfield is built around Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, with Alex Iwobi pushed into the most advanced role.

Ndidi gives Nigeria a defensive shield in front of the centre-backs, while Onyeka’s energy should allow him to press Madagascar and cover ground when possession changes hands.

That protection gives Iwobi greater freedom to operate closer to the forwards. The Fulham midfielder can drop towards the ball, move into the spaces between Madagascar’s midfield and defence or drift towards either flank to create overloads.

The Super Eagles will need that creativity more than ever without Osimhen, whose presence usually gives the team an obvious reference point in the final third.

Rather than asking Iwobi to replace Osimhen’s goals, Chelle can use him to help create the chances the new-look attack needs.

Nigeria vs Madagascar: Lookman keeps his place on the left

FW: Ademola Lookman

Ademola Lookman is one of the established attacking figures in Chelle’s squad and gets the left-sided role in this prediction.

His ability to cut inside from the flank gives Nigeria another player capable of entering the penalty area, particularly when Awoniyi occupies the central defenders.

Lookman’s movement could also create space for Iwobi to advance from midfield.

Madagascar will therefore have to deal with more than a conventional winger. Lookman can stay wide to stretch the defence, then suddenly move inside and attack the space around the striker.

Nigeria vs Madagascar: Awoniyi gets the chance to lead the line

CF: Taiwo Awoniyi

Awoniyi’s return becomes one of the defining selection decisions following Osimhen’s withdrawal.

The Nottingham Forest forward was brought into the Super Eagles setup after Osimhen was ruled out, giving Chelle a centre-forward with a different set of qualities.

Awoniyi can offer physical strength against central defenders, attack crosses and make direct runs behind the defensive line.

His presence could also give Nigeria a more conventional focal point in attack, allowing Lookman and Ilenikhena to attack from wider positions.

This should not be viewed as Awoniyi simply stepping into Osimhen’s shoes. The change gives Chelle an opportunity to build an attack around Awoniyi’s own strengths rather than asking him to reproduce everything Osimhen normally brings.

Nigeria vs Madagascar: Ilenikhena is the wildcard

FW: George Ilenikhena

The most intriguing selection in this predicted XI is George Ilenikhena.

Chelle handed the young forward his first senior Super Eagles call-up alongside Arthur Okonkwo and Isaac James. With Osimhen now unavailable, however, Ilenikhena could be used in a different way.

The prediction places him on the right side of a front three rather than as the central striker.

That would allow him to attack space from the flank, drift inside and become a second runner around Awoniyi.

Lookman could do something similar from the opposite side. The result would give Nigeria a front three capable of changing shape during possession:

Lookman — Awoniyi — Ilenikhena

When the wingers move inside, Aina and Onyemaechi can push forward to provide width. When Nigeria lose possession, Ndidi and Onyeka can protect the central areas behind them.

Super Eagles predicted XI

Nigeria 4-3-3

Stanley Nwabali

Ola Aina — Semi Ajayi — Calvin Bassey — Bruno Onyemaechi

Wilfred Ndidi — Frank Onyeka — Alex Iwobi

Ademola Lookman — Taiwo Awoniyi — George Ilenikhena

Nigeria vs Madagascar: Match details

Competition: 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, Group L
Match: Nigeria vs Madagascar
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Kick-off: 16:00 GMT, 5pm Nigerian time
Venue: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo
Nigeria coach: Eric Chelle
Madagascar coach: Corentin Martins