Super Eagles Warned Against Complacency Ahead of AFCON 2027 Qualifiers

The Super Eagles have been urged to avoid complacency as they begin their campaign to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with a warning that every match must be approached with full seriousness.

The Senior Special Adviser to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Prince Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, gave the warning ahead of Nigeria’s Group L opener against Madagascar on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, popularly known as the Nest of Champions.

Nigeria will travel to Bissau shortly after the opening fixture to face Guinea-Bissau in their second qualifying match as the Eric Chelle-led Super Eagles begin their campaign.

Adeboye urged the players to remain patriotic and avoid the mistakes that contributed to Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the last FIFA World Cup. He stressed that the team must take every qualifying fixture seriously to avoid another disappointing campaign.

“My advice is that the Super Eagles should avoid complacency, be patriotic and take all the qualifying matches serious so as to avoid a repeat performance of what happened during the last World Cup qualifiers,” Adeboye said.

He also pointed to the Federal Government’s support for Nigerian athletes, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had supported the welfare of sportsmen and women financially, morally and psychologically. Adeboye urged the players to respond with strong performances and help secure Nigeria’s place at the 2027 AFCON, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The presidential aide further cautioned the Super Eagles against underestimating Madagascar because of the team’s lower FIFA ranking. He noted that Madagascar missed the last AFCON in Morocco and would be motivated to make a strong start to the new qualifying campaign.