By Paul Joseph
Nigeria national football team will face familiar opponents Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau in the qualification race for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The draw for the tournament qualifiers was held on Tuesday at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters in Cairo, where the 48 participating nations were placed into 12 groups of four teams each.
The top two teams from every group will qualify for the finals of the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
Nigeria was drawn in Group L alongside Tanzania, Madagascar and Guinea Bissau, setting up another series of encounters against teams the Super Eagles have previously met in AFCON qualifying campaigns.
The Super Eagles defeated Madagascar home and away during the qualification series for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria also faced Guinea Bissau in the qualifiers for the 2023 AFCON tournament hosted by Côte d’Ivoire, with both sides winning their respective home fixtures.
Tanzania was also grouped with Nigeria during the race for the 2017 AFCON, where both countries played out a goalless draw in Dar es Salaam before Nigeria secured a 1-0 victory in Uyo through a long-range strike from Kelechi Iheanacho.
Hosts of the last AFCON tournament, Morocco, headline Group A alongside Gabon, Niger and Lesotho, while seven-time champions Egypt will battle Angola, Malawi and South Sudan in Group B.
Five-time African champions Cameroon were handed a challenging group featuring Comoros, Namibia and Republic of the Congo.
Flamingos Depart for Guinea Clash
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s U17 women’s team, Nigeria women’s national under-17 football team, popularly known as the Flamingos, are set to depart for Abidjan on Wednesday ahead of their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against Guinea.
The first-leg encounter, scheduled for May 23 in Côte d’Ivoire, forms part of the second-round qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Led by head coach Akeem Busari, the Flamingos have spent several weeks in intensive training camps in Abuja and Ikenne, Ogun State, where the technical crew focused on tactical drills, fitness work and friendly matches.
The team recorded impressive victories over several local sides, including Generation Next, Nazareth Queens, Solo Wonder Babes, Lakeside Queens FA and YAFA U-15, while also playing a draw against Real Rising Stars SC.
Nigeria will be aiming for another strong outing at the global tournament after winning bronze at the 2022 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in India.
President Federation Cup Round of 32 Fixtures Confirmed
The Nigeria Football Federation has also confirmed fixtures for the women’s Round of 32 matches in the 2026 President Federation Cup competition.
One of the standout fixtures will see Ibom Angels F.C. face Fortress Ladies F.C. at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu on May 25.
Other notable ties include Bayelsa Queens F.C. against Pacesetter Queens F.C. in Awka, while Edo Queens F.C. will confront Ghetto Tigers in Akure.
Rivers Angels F.C. are scheduled to play NAF Queens in Makurdi, while Nasarawa Amazons F.C. will face Osklean FC in Enugu.
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