Nigeria set for a competitive but manageable path to AFCON 2027 after Group L draw in Cairo

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been handed a seemingly favourable draw in the qualification race for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), after being placed in Group L alongside Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau.

The draw ceremony, held on Tuesday in Cairo, Egypt, officially set the stage for the continent’s qualification series, with national teams now aware of the hurdles standing between them and a place at Africa’s biggest football tournament.

For Nigeria, the grouping presents a mix of familiar opponents and rising contenders. Guinea-Bissau, in particular, have proven to be a tricky side in recent meetings, while Madagascar and Tanzania continue to grow in competitiveness on the African football scene.

Despite this, the Super Eagles will be widely regarded as favourites to top the group, given their pedigree, squad depth and consistent presence at major tournaments.

The qualifiers are expected to deliver intense matchups across all groups, as teams battle for limited slots at AFCON 2027, with Nigeria aiming not only to qualify but to reassert its dominance on the continental stage.