Super Eagles’ AFCONQ draw: Eric Chelle x-rays Tanzania, Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau

Super Eagles’ preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers have already begun with a warning from Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Franco-Malian tactician believes the three-time African champions cannot afford to underestimate Tanzania, Madagascar, or Guinea-Bissau.

Following the AFCON qualifying draw, Nigeria were placed in Group L alongside Tanzania, Madagascar, and Guinea-Bissau in what Chelle described as a dangerous and unpredictable section.

The former Mali coach insisted there are no easy matches in African football anymore, especially with Tanzania already guaranteed a place at the tournament as co-hosts. That situation could leave Nigeria, Madagascar, and Guinea-Bissau battling fiercely for one effective qualification slot depending on how the group finishes.

“Tanzania have already qualified for the AFCON, so this is a group of three. If you play a draw, you can have some problems,” Chelle told Proudly Austin.

The Super Eagles coach specifically pointed to Tanzania’s recent performances as proof that the East Africans have improved considerably in recent years.

“Tanzania may give us problems, just as they did against Morocco, so this is not a small team,” Chelle added.

Nigeria defeated Tanzania 2-1 during the 2025 AFCON group stage in Morocco thanks to goals from Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman, while the two countries also met during the 2017 AFCON qualifiers, where the Super Eagles recorded a win and a draw.

Super Eagles: Madagascar defeat still fresh as Guinea-Bissau remain dangerous

Chelle also revisited one of Nigeria’s most painful AFCON memories while discussing Madagascar. The Super Eagles were stunned 2-0 by the Barea during the 2019 AFCON group stage in Egypt in one of the biggest shocks of the tournament.

“Madagascar, we know them as a good team because they beat Nigeria in 2019,” he said.

Although Nigeria dominated Madagascar in earlier qualification meetings before that tournament, the defeat in Alexandria remains a sore point for many Super Eagles supporters.

Chelle also warned against dismissing Guinea-Bissau despite Nigeria’s generally stronger record against the West Africans.

“With Guinea-Bissau, you cannot say there is a small team in Africa now,” he stated.

The two sides have become familiar opponents in recent CAF competitions. Nigeria defeated Guinea-Bissau 1-0 at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast after also sharing victories during the qualifiers for that tournament in 2023. Guinea-Bissau famously shocked the Super Eagles 1-0 in Abuja before Nigeria responded with a 1-0 away victory in Bissau.

Chelle believes those results show how competitive African football has become and why concentration will be vital throughout the campaign.

“So you have to be focused on every game and every team. You have to do the job; this is not easy. Which game is easy in football right now?” he said.

With Tanzania’s automatic qualification status potentially affecting the final standings, Nigeria may need to finish top of Group L to remove any qualification doubts as they chase a place at AFCON 2027.