Nigeria, Sept. 24 -- Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has charged his players to start Nigeria's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign strongly, insisting that they must collect points early to avoid another difficult qualification race.

Chelle wants Nigeria to set the tone from their opening Group L fixture against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Friday before travelling to Guinea-Bissau for their second match four days later.

The coach is particularly keen to avoid a repeat of the uncertainty that characterised Nigeria's FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, when a late surge failed to secure a place at the tournament.

"We have to show everyone from Day One that we want it, and the only way...