Nigeria will renew rivalries with Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau after the Super Eagles were drawn in Group L of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The draw, held on Tuesday at the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association, also featured former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong as one of the draw assistants.
Set to be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027, the tournament will feature 24 teams, with 48 nations battling through the qualification series.
Nigeria’s group brings back familiar opponents. The Super Eagles defeated Madagascar home and away during the 2012 AFCON qualifying campaign, while Guinea-Bissau shared victories with Nigeria during the race to the 2023 finals in Ivory Coast winning in Abuja before the Eagles responded in Bissau.
Tanzania also faced Nigeria during the 2017 AFCON qualifiers when after a goalless draw in Dar es Salaam, the Eagles secured a 1-0 win in Uyo through Kelechi Iheanacho, although Nigeria ultimately missed out on the tournament in Gabon. Both teams met again at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, where Nigeria claimed a 2-1 victory.
However, Tanzania’s status as co-hosts changes the qualification equation. With the East Africans already guaranteed a place at the tournament, only the group winners will qualify automatically from Group L.
The qualifiers will be played across three FIFA windows between September 2026 and March 2027.
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