Nigeria, Sept. 25 -- Nigeria will begin its 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, with the Super Eagles expected to start the race for a place at the tournament on a winning note.

While Nigeria head into the encounter as overwhelming favourites, Eric Chelle and his players cannot afford to underestimate the Barea, who have already shown in time past that they are capable of causing problems for the Super Eagles.

Madagascar produced one of the biggest shocks of the 2019 AFCON group stage when they defeated Nigeria 2-0, and several players in their current squad possess the quality and experience to make Friday's encounter difficult.

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