AFCON 2027 qualifiers: Lookman-led Super Eagles worth 31x more than Madagascar ahead of today’s clash

Nigeria begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar today with a huge advantage on paper, with the Super Eagles’ squad valued at €281.2 million compared with just €9.05 million for the Barea.

The figures, based on Transfermarkt valuations, put Nigeria’s squad at 31.1 times the value of Madagascar’s 25-man group. The gulf is particularly striking in attack, where Nigeria’s forwards are worth €124 million — almost 48 times Madagascar’s €2.6 million.

Bassey highlights defensive gulf

Nigeria’s advantage starts at the back, where their defenders have a combined market value of €82.4 million.

Calvin Bassey is the standout at €28 million, making the Fulham defender alone worth more than three times Madagascar’s entire squad. Ola Aina and Emmanuel Fernandez are each valued at €18 million, while Chibuike Nwaiwu is worth €10 million.

Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi and Semi Ajayi add further depth to Eric Chelle’s defensive options.

Madagascar’s defensive unit, meanwhile, is led by Andy Pelmard at €2 million and Mathieu Acapandié at €700,000. Pelmard’s European experience, however, means the Barea possess a defender capable of offering resistance despite the financial disparity.

Nigeria’s goalkeeping department is valued at €15.8 million, with Maduka Okoye accounting for €10 million. Arthur Okonkwo is valued at €5 million, while Stanley Nwabali is worth €800,000.

Nwabali’s modest valuation does little to reflect his importance to Nigeria, having played a key role in the Super Eagles’ run to the bronze medal at the 2025 AFCON.

Onyedika, Iwobi drive midfield advantage

Nigeria’s midfield is valued at approximately €59 million, led by Raphael Onyedika at €23 million.

Alex Iwobi is worth €20 million, while Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka are each valued at €8 million. The quartet brings extensive experience from the Premier League, Bundesliga and European competitions.

Madagascar’s midfield, in contrast, is built more around experience than market value. Rayan Raveloson is valued at €1 million, while Marco Ilaimaharitra is worth approximately €800,000.

The Barea’s recent run to the final of the African Nations Championship also underlines why Nigeria cannot afford to judge their opponents solely by their transfer values.

Lookman leads huge attacking gap

The biggest financial difference is in attack, where Nigeria’s forwards are collectively valued at €124 million.

Lookman, valued at €40 million, is the most expensive player in the squad and becomes even more important with Victor Osimhen unavailable through injury.

Tolu Arokodare is valued at €20 million, Samuel Chukwueze at €18 million, Akor Adams at €15 million and George Ilenikhena at €10 million. Taiwo Awoniyi, Moses Simon and Usor add another €21 million to the department.

Madagascar’s attacking options cannot match that depth financially, but Warren Caddy, Hakim Abdallah, Arnaud Randrianantenaina and Loïc Lapoussin give Corentin Martins several ways to threaten Nigeria.

31x advantage must count on the pitch

The numbers give Nigeria a commanding advantage in every department, with the €124 million attacking unit representing the biggest gap.

Yet Madagascar have already proved that transfer valuations do not determine football matches.

The Barea famously defeated Nigeria 2-0 at the 2019 AFCON and finished top of their group ahead of the Super Eagles.

That result provides a warning for Chelle and his players. Madagascar are unlikely to try to compete with Nigeria on individual quality.

Instead, Martins’ side will look to organisation, experience and collective discipline to bridge the enormous financial gap.

For Nigeria, the task is straightforward: turn a 31.1-times advantage on paper into three points on the pitch.