Madagascar arrive in Uyo with experienced defenders, a versatile captain, creative midfielders and an opportunistic forward — five individuals who offer concrete threats the Super Eagles must manage.
Thomas Fontaine brings experience and defensive leadership, having played in France and in Madagascar’s 2019 win over Nigeria.
Captain Rayan Raveloson influences transitions with long passing and positional versatility that can unsettle Nigeria’s midfield.
Hakim Abdallah and Loic Lapoussin add movement and creativity that can stretch Nigeria’s defence and create chances.
Nigeria open their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign at home against Madagascar in Uyo. Nigeria start as favourites, but Madagascar have a recent history of upsetting the Super Eagles and bring several players whose attributes match well against Nigeria's typical strengths.
Thomas Fontaine — Defensive experience
Fontaine is a 35-year-old central defender who has extensive international experience and a background in the French league. He was part of Madagascar's 2-0 win over Nigeria at the 2019 AFCON and is relied on to organise the back line and provide composure against pace and pressure.
Rayan Raveloson — Midfield engine and passer
Hakim Abdallah — Movement off the ball
Lapoussin is Madagascar's principal creator. Comfortable receiving in tight areas, his movement and vision can unlock defences if given time and space. Nigeria's midfielders and fullbacks will need to close passing lanes and prevent him operating in dangerous pockets.
Caddy provides a different attacking profile: a striker with European club experience, recent international goals in World Cup qualifying, and a record of converting the chances he gets. He is the player Madagascar will look to when they produce attacking opportunities.
Madagascar's tactical profile for this game is likely to emphasise compact defending, quick transitions and exploiting pockets of space through long passing and off-the-ball movement. The five players above give multiple routes to create danger: organisation at the back, midfield distribution, drifting attackers, creative link-up and a finisher.
Madagascar's starting XI contains specific players whose attributes match up in ways that can give Nigeria problems. The Super Eagles begin as favourites, but they must manage experience, versatile passing, creative movement and a seasoned finisher to avoid a repeat of Madagascar's upset in 2019.
Fontaine's experience, Raveloson's influence in midfield, Abdallah's movement, Lapoussin's creativity and Caddy's goalscoring threat give the Barea several avenues through which they can trouble Chelle's side The post 2027 AFCON Qualifiers: Five Madagascar players that can shock the Super Eagles appeared first on Premi
The qualifiers come as Nigeria seeks to regain momentum following a mixed recent international campaign. The Super Eagles finished third at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco after reaching the final at the previous edition in Côte d’Ivoire.
Nigeria will face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday in their opening match of the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
The Super Eagles will hold their first training session on Tuesday (today) ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Madagascar’s Barea. Éric Chelle’s men opened camp for the game in Ikot Ikpene, Akwa Ibom State on Monday. The first 15 minutes of the training session will be open to the media.
Nigerias Super Eagles initiated their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over
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