Nigeria’s last chance? Super Eagles begin AFCON 2027 qualifying fight to restore football pride

Nigeria begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar in Uyo on Friday with the Super Eagles carrying a burden far greater than the pressure of securing three points.

For a country whose football identity has been built on continental success and regular appearances on the world stage, qualification for next year’s tournament has become closely linked to restoring pride in a national game that has endured a turbulent period.

Eric Chelle’s side will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium before travelling to Guinea-Bissau for their second Group L fixture on September 29.

The campaign comes after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while the Super Falcons also missed out on the 2027 Women’s World Cup for the first time since the competition began in 1991.

From Atlanta glory to a football crisis

The current uncertainty contrasts sharply with the country’s celebrated past.

August marked 30 years since Nigeria produced one of the greatest moments in African football history, defeating Argentina 3-2 to win Olympic gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Three decades later, however, that era of dominance feels increasingly distant.

The Super Eagles have now missed three successive World Cups, while the failure of the Super Falcons to reach the next Women’s World Cup added another major setback. Those disappointments have fuelled calls for structural changes across Nigerian football.

Former Nigeria international Efe Sodje believes the problems cannot simply be placed on the players.

“I can’t say how disappointing the failings have been with the quality of players we have; we should have been there this summer.”

Sodje also pointed towards the administration as part of the problem.

“We have to also look at the people upstairs because decisions and structure play a big role in why we didn’t qualify; this is what needs addressing at this time.”

NFF shake-up raises hopes of a reset

Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 2025 AFCON offered some relief, with Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Calvin Bassey among the standout performers.

But that progress was followed by the World Cup disappointment and growing pressure on the Nigeria Football Federation.

In August, NFF president Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and members of the Executive Committee resigned amid mounting criticism. President Bola Tinubu subsequently directed a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football, with governance, administration, development pathways and accountability among the areas identified for review.

The NFF has since placed Emmanuel Ikpeme in charge of its secretariat on an interim basis and suspended preparations for the federation’s September 27 elective congress pending the reform process.

For former Nigeria international Segun Odegbami, the changes provide an opportunity to rebuild.

“Everybody wanted them out, to the extent that the President of the country himself made the pronouncement that he wanted reforms; everything has come together like a jigsaw puzzle and is working now for us to produce a blueprint that will cover every aspect of our football development.”

Chelle faces immediate test

Chelle’s immediate task is to ensure the administrative uncertainty does not destabilise the Super Eagles.

The former Lens and Valenciennes defender has been in charge since January 2025 and guided Nigeria to the 2025 AFCON bronze medal.

His squad still contains considerable quality, with captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey and others providing a strong foundation.

However, Nigeria will begin the campaign without Osimhen, who withdrew after suffering a right adductor muscle strain. Taiwo Awoniyi was called up as his replacement.

Chelle has demanded a strong start, particularly after Nigeria’s difficult World Cup qualifying campaign.

No room for another qualification crisis

Madagascar will also carry memories of their 2-0 victory over Nigeria at the 2019 AFCON, meaning the Super Eagles cannot afford complacency.

The wider lesson from African football is that decline can be reversed. Morocco’s investment in youth development and infrastructure has helped produce sustained progress, demonstrating the potential available when talent is matched with long-term planning.

For Nigeria, the immediate objective is simpler: qualify.

Anything less would deepen the questions surrounding the country’s football structures and increase the pressure for further change.

The first answer must come in Uyo.