Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has promised that Nigeria will not repeat the slow start that damaged their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.
Nigeria begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday.
Ndidi admitted that the team learned from their difficult World Cup qualifying campaign and are determined to approach the new race differently.
“We know the experience of the last World Cup qualifiers when we started poorly, but it will never happen again,” Ndidi said.
The Besiktas midfielder stressed that the opening match is particularly important because it can set the tone for the rest of the qualifying campaign.
“This is a focused team, and we are planning to set the momentum because the first game is the most important game in every qualifier,” he added.
Nigeria failed to secure a place at the 2026 World Cup after a difficult qualifying campaign, despite finishing strongly towards the end of the race.
The Super Eagles will now turn their attention to securing a place at the 2027 AFCON, with Madagascar standing between them and a winning start.
Nigeria have faced Madagascar four times at senior level, winning three of those meetings and drawing once. However, Madagascar famously defeated the Super Eagles 2-0 at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.
Ndidi knows Nigeria cannot afford to take their opponents lightly.
After Friday’s game, the Super Eagles will travel to Guinea Bissau for their second Group L fixture on September 29.
With only one qualification place available from the group because Tanzania are automatic qualifiers as hosts, every point could prove important.
Ndidi says the players understand the task ahead and are ready to begin the campaign with a strong performance.
“We will do our best; we are ready for it,” the Super Eagles captain said.
