AFCON 2025
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chellehas admitted Nigeria face a difficult task in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations after being drawn against Tanzania, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in Group L.
The draw for the qualifiers was held in Cairo, Egypt, with William Troost-Ekongparticipating as one of the draw assistants.
Nigeria national football teamwill battle Tanzania national football team, Madagascar national football teamand Guinea-Bissau national football teamfor a place at the tournament.
Although Tanzania have already qualified automatically as one of the co-hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda, Chelle warned that the Taifa Stars could still create problems in the group.
“Tanzania have already qualified for the AFCON, so this is a group of three. If you play a draw, you can have some problems,” Chelle said.
“Tanzania may give us problems, just as they did against Morocco, so this is not a small team.”
CAF’s qualification format means only one non-host nation from Groups D, H and L can qualify automatically if the host countries finish top of their groups. Should a host nation finish first, the second-placed team will secure qualification.
Chelle also highlighted the threats posed by Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, insisting there are no easy opponents in African football anymore.
“Madagascar, we know them as a good team because they beat Nigeria in 2019. With Guinea-Bissau, you cannot say there is a small team in Africa now,” he added.
The former Mali coach urged his players to remain focused throughout the qualifying campaign, stressing that every match would be difficult.
“So you have to be focused on every game and every team. You have to do the job; this is not easy. Which game is easy in football right now?” he concluded.
The qualifiers are expected to be played across the FIFA international windows later this year and in March 2027 as teams battle for places at the continental tournament.
