Chelle: Eagles Must Fight for Victory Against Madagascar

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle expects a tough battle against Madagascar but is confident Nigeria can overcome the absence of several key players when the two sides clash in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo on Friday.

Chelle will be without Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, Brighton duo Zadok Yohanna and Femi Azeez, Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and MLS-based Alhassan Yusuf, all ruled out through injury.

However, the Franco-Malian insists the absences will not affect Nigeria’s mentality or preparation.

‘We have a lot of injuries, Femi Azeez, Zadok Yohanna, Victor, Alhassan Yusuf, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru,’ Chelle told Football Fans Tribe.

‘We have a lot of injuries but this is not a problem for us. Of course, I prefer these guys to be with us.’

Chelle expects Madagascar to provide a stern test, recalling the Barea’s famous victory over Nigeria at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.

‘It is going to be a difficult game because Madagascar is a big team. I think they won against Nigeria in 2019,’ he said.

‘We have to work on it, so we are ready to play the game.’

The Super Eagles boss also described Friday’s encounter as a fight and backed his players to have the right mentality for the challenge.

‘We have to be ready. It is going to be a fight. The players have a good state of mind and we will be ready on Friday,’ Chelle concluded.

Chelle had earlier challenged his players to be aggressive and play with intensity, warning Madagascar that they were coming to a hostile Uyo environment.

‘We are in Uyo and the opponent needs to know they are coming to hell. I want my players to be very aggressive, put a lot of intensity,’ he said.

Friday’s meeting will be the fifth between Nigeria and Madagascar in AFCON qualifying, with the Super Eagles unbeaten in the previous four encounters, recording three wins and one draw.

Nigeria will also be looking to put their disappointing start to the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign behind them as they begin their latest bid for continental glory.