We don’t underrate any team – Onyeka

Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka

Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka says Nigeria will not underestimate Madagascar when both teams begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign in Uyo on Friday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Friday’s fixture marks the beginning of a new AFCON qualifying campaign under Chelle, with Nigeria drawn in Group L alongside Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau.

Nigeria have made 21 appearances at the AFCON, most recently finishing third at the 2025 edition in Morocco.

The three-time African champions are seeking a strong start under coach Eric Chelle as they bid to secure qualification for the 2027 tournament, with Onyeka insisting the team has moved on from the disappointment of missing the 2026 World Cup.

“Like every other game we have played, we have to win. I know we were quite disappointed not to qualify for the World Cup, but now we have something to prepare for, which is the AFCON next year.

“We take every game as it comes and we don’t underrate any team. We have to play well to win,” Onyeka told Ademola Victor TV.

Meanwhile, the Barea are not intimidated by the Super Eagles ahead of the game.

Turkey-based Madagascar midfielder Rayan Raveloson acknowledged Nigeria’s quality but insisted his team would not be overawed by their opponents.

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“Osimhen is a big player and everyone knows him. We are not scared. It’s football and they are humans like us. Everyone wants to win, but sometimes you have to lose to learn,” he told Football Temple.

Madagascar, ranked 104th in the latest FIFA rankings, have a squad comprising largely players based in European lower divisions and African leagues.

The Barea will hope to carry the momentum from their recent run at the African Nations Championship, where they reached the final, into their AFCON qualifying campaign.

They are seeking to qualify for only their second AFCON tournament after making their debut in 2019, when they reached the quarter-finals in a memorable campaign.

Madagascar also recorded a famous 2-0 victory over Nigeria in the group stage of the 2019 tournament in Egypt.

In their previous meeting in AFCON qualifying, Nigeria defeated Madagascar at home and away during the qualifying series for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, although the Eagles ultimately failed to qualify for the tournament.