Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has called on Nigeria to begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign strongly, with the Atletico Madrid attacker targeting victories in the team’s opening two fixtures.
Nigeria are scheduled to face Madagascar on September 25 before travelling to take on Guinea-Bissau four days later. Lookman said the squad understands the importance of the matches and is determined to collect maximum points despite expecting both opponents to provide difficult tests.
Speaking ahead of the international break, the Nigerian forward acknowledged that the upcoming fixtures would not be straightforward but insisted that the Super Eagles would approach both encounters with the intention of winning.
The three-time African champions will open their campaign against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo before travelling to Bissau for the meeting with Guinea-Bissau.
For Nigeria, the qualifiers represent an opportunity to put the disappointment of missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup behind them and begin another major qualification campaign on a positive note. The Super Eagles were eliminated by DR Congo in the CAF playoff final, ending their hopes of appearing at the global tournament.
The result was a major setback for the team, particularly after Nigeria had reached the latter stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Nigeria eventually claimed the bronze medal at the tournament after losing to hosts Morocco in the semi-final on penalties and subsequently defeating Egypt in the third-place match.
The Super Eagles have also maintained a strong record of reaching the latter stages of recent AFCON tournaments. Since their failure to qualify for the 2017 edition, Nigeria have reached at least the semi-final at each of the subsequent four tournaments, with two third-place finishes and one runners-up medal during that period.
Lookman was part of the Nigeria squad that impressed at the 2025 tournament and remains one of the key attacking options available to head coach Eric Chelle.
Chelle has included the Atletico Madrid forward in his 24-man squad for the opening qualifying matches. Established players such as Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi and captain Wilfred Ndidi are also part of the group.
The squad also features three players receiving their first senior invitations from the national team. Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, midfielder Isaac James and forward George Ilenikhena have been handed opportunities as Chelle begins his preparations for the qualifiers.
Lookman’s presence will be particularly important for Nigeria’s attacking plans. The winger has already established himself as an influential member of the Super Eagles and played a prominent role during the previous AFCON campaign.
Before reporting for international duty, however, Lookman is expected to feature for Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby against Real Madrid. He will then turn his attention to Nigeria’s continental qualification campaign.
The Super Eagles will be keen to avoid another difficult qualification journey after their failure to secure a place at the 2026 World Cup.
Their immediate objective is therefore to collect points from the opening fixtures and establish a strong position in the qualifying group.
Lookman, meanwhile, has emphasised that Nigeria cannot afford to underestimate either Madagascar or Guinea-Bissau. Although the Super Eagles possess considerable experience and several established international players, both matches will require concentration and the right approach.
Nigeria’s first assignment against Madagascar will provide the team’s opening opportunity to set the tone for the campaign. Four days later, attention will shift to Guinea-Bissau, creating a demanding schedule for Chelle’s squad.
The coaching staff will also have to manage player fitness and workload, particularly with several players involved in demanding club schedules before joining the national team.
For Lookman, the message is straightforward: Nigeria must treat both games seriously and aim to secure victories.
A successful start would give the Super Eagles an early boost in their bid to qualify for the 2027 AFCON and provide a positive response following their World Cup disappointment.
With experienced stars returning alongside several new faces, Nigeria will now look to translate Lookman’s ambition into results when the qualifying campaign gets underway in Uyo.
