Madagascar Touch Down In Uyo As Super Eagles Clash Draws Near

Madagascar’s national football team, the Barea, have arrived in Uyo ahead of their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Friday, September 25.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the Madagascar delegation arrived at the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo on Monday, September 21, with 28 players and officials. The team reportedly landed at about 2:05 p.m. before proceeding to their hotel after completing immigration formalities.

Additional members of the Madagascar delegation are expected to arrive in Uyo on Tuesday as preparations continue for the highly anticipated encounter.

The Barea, coached by Corentin Martins, will face Nigeria at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. The Matchday One fixture is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. Nigerian time on Friday.

Madagascar will be looking to draw confidence from their previous competitive meeting with Nigeria, when they defeated the Super Eagles 2-0 during the group stage of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Following Friday’s encounter, Madagascar are scheduled to return home to host Tanzania in their second qualifying fixture four days later.

Nigeria, meanwhile, have suffered an injury setback ahead of the opening qualifier, with head coach Eric Chelle calling up Coventry City forward Taiwo Awoniyi to replace injured striker Victor Osimhen.

Osimhen had initially been included in the Super Eagles squad despite concerns over his recovery from a muscle strain. However, the Galatasaray forward was unavailable for his club’s recent Turkish Super Lig fixture as he continued his rehabilitation.

Awoniyi has therefore been drafted into the squad as Osimhen’s replacement. The forward made his Super Eagles debut in October 2021 and has recorded two goals in 10 international appearances for Nigeria, with his last appearance coming against Libya in October 2024.

The Super Eagles will begin their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign against Madagascar in Uyo before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau in their next fixture on Tuesday.