Former Nigeria international Ifeanyi Udeze has called on the Super Eagles to treat every opponent in their AFCON 2027 qualifying group with respect, warning that the same attitude that derailed their 2026 World Cup campaign must not be allowed to resurface, Footynaija.com reports.
As revealed in a report by Radio Nigeria, after Tuesday’s draw placed Nigeria in Group L alongside Madagascar, Tanzania, and Guinea-Bissau, the ex-defender addressed the mood surrounding the group directly.
“I am not surprised that Tanzania is already bragging; they have every right to do so because they are in our group,” Udeze said.
Tanzania, one of the tournament’s three co-hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda, go into the qualifiers with automatic AFCON 2027 qualification already secured. That reality makes Group L particularly unforgiving for Nigeria.
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Tanzania’s berth is guaranteed regardless of results, only the team that finishes top of the group will claim the remaining qualification ticket.
Udeze wants the Super Eagles to treat that reality as a call to arms rather than a source of comfort.
“I just want the Super Eagles to take the games seriously and not underrate any team in our group,” the former West Brom man said.
“We must play every team with our full strength, and the rest will be history.”
His caution carries weight given Nigeria’s recent history. The Super Eagles struggled badly in the early rounds of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign before eventually falling to DR Congo in the playoff final. It was a second consecutive absence from the global tournament that is still raw among Nigerian football followers.
Nigeria open their qualifying campaign at home against Madagascar on September 21, 2026. The Barea, who famously beat the Super Eagles 2-0 at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, arrive as a side that has improved considerably since that upset.
“I wish the Super Eagles all the very best in the qualifying campaign,” Udeze added.
