Ademola Lookman has said the Super Eagles want six points from their first two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, Footynaija.com reports.
Nigeria face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to Bissau to meet Guinea-Bissau four days later. The two fixtures come with the Super Eagles needing to make their early games count in a Group L that also contains Tanzania.
Tanzania’s position makes the group different from most AFCON qualifying pools. As one of the three hosts of the 2027 tournament alongside Kenya and Uganda, Tanzania are already guaranteed a place at the finals regardless of their results in the qualifiers.
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That means Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau are fighting for the other qualifying place in the group. The highest-ranked team among those three will advance to the tournament in East Africa next year.
For Nigeria, the campaign is also an opportunity to put the World Cup disappointment behind them. The Super Eagles reached the African play-off final in November 2025 but were beaten by DR Congo on penalties after a 1-1 draw, ending their hopes of reaching the 2026 tournament.
Chelle has since overseen Nigeria’s preparations for another major competition, and his latest squad retains much of the established group while bringing in fresh options.
Lookman wants Nigeria to start strongly
Lookman is currently preparing for the international window with Atletico Madrid, where he has been vital to the club’s La Liga matches this season and scored once.
The winger knows the two AFCON qualifiers will not be easy, but he has something to say.
“The whole team is really looking forward to it. Two very important matches are coming up, and the opponents are, of course, tough to face,” Lookman told SportyTV.
“But we’re eager to win both of these games. We know the matches will be difficult, but we’ll do everything we can to achieve it.”
The Super Eagles have been consistent AFCON contenders since returning to the tournament in 2019, securing a podium finish or a spot in the finals in three of the last four editions. Their most recent campaign ended with a bronze medal at the 2025 tournament in Morocco.
