Super Eagles Drawn Against Tanzania, Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau in AFCON 2027 Qualifiers

Group L: a path to qualification

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been drawn in Group L of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where they will face Tanzania, Madagascar, and Guinea-Bissau — a group most fans will feel confident about.

The draw was conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Cairo on Tuesday, May 19, with former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong among the legends assisting with the ceremony. The 2027 tournament will be hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Head coach Eric Chelle, who attended the draw, will fancy his chances against a group that, on paper, presents no top-tier opposition. Tanzania reached AFCON 2025 but exited at the group stage. Madagascar made a memorable quarter-final run in 2019 but has struggled for consistency since. Guinea-Bissau has qualified for the last four AFCON tournaments — a credible record — but lacks the firepower to match Nigeria’s squad on paper.

A welcome break after a tricky cycle

The draw could hardly have been kinder. Earlier pre-draw analysis had suggested Nigeria might face arch-rivals Ghana, Zambia, or Guinea — a much tougher path. Avoiding any of the continent’s heavyweights means the Super Eagles go into the qualifiers as overwhelming favourites to top the group.

Nigeria’s last AFCON qualifying campaign in 2025 saw them navigate a more difficult group before the tournament itself ended in disappointment. Chelle will be under no illusions — qualification is expected, and anything less than a dominant campaign will raise serious questions.

The qualifiers are set to begin later this year, with exact dates to be confirmed by CAF. The top team from each group qualifies automatically, with the best runners-up also advancing.

The bigger picture

Hosts Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda have already secured their spots in the 24-team tournament, meaning 48 nations will compete for the remaining 21 slots. Nigeria, three-time AFCON champions, will be expected not just to qualify but to mount a serious title challenge — something they have not delivered since their last trophy in 2013.

With an easy qualifying group now confirmed, the focus shifts to whether Chelle can build a squad capable of going all the way in 2027.

Sources: Punch, Legit.ng, OwnGoalNigeria