AFCON Qualifiers: Nigeria Face Madagascar, Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau in Group L

AFCON qualifiers Nigeria Group L opponents have emerged after the Super Eagles drew Madagascar, co-hosts Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau in the race for a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

The Egyptian Football Association conducted the draw on Tuesday at its headquarters, while William Troost-Ekong served as one of the draw assistants.

A total of 48 teams will compete in the qualifiers. The draw produced 12 groups, while 24 nations will qualify for the finals, which Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will host from June 19 to July 17, 2027.

Nigeria entered the draw from Pot 1 and received opponents they know well from previous qualifying campaigns and continental competitions.

AFCON qualifiers Nigeria Group L records show that the Super Eagles beat Madagascar home and away during the qualifiers for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria also shared victories with Guinea-Bissau during the race to the 2023 AFCON finals in Ivory Coast. Guinea-Bissau won in Abuja before Nigeria responded with victory in Bissau.

Tanzania also shared a qualifying group with Nigeria during the race to the 2017 AFCON. Both teams played out a goalless draw in Dar es Salaam before the Super Eagles secured a 1-0 win in Uyo through a long-range strike from Kelechi Iheanacho.

The two countries met again at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, where Nigeria claimed a 2-1 victory in their opening group match.

However, Tanzania qualified automatically as co-hosts, meaning only the top team in Group L will qualify automatically for the 2027 AFCON finals.

In other notable groups, Ivory Coast will battle Ghana, Gambia and Somalia in Group C, while Senegal will face Mozambique, Sudan and Ethiopia in Group J.

The qualifying campaign will start during the FIFA international window from September 21 to October 6, 2026. Organisers will stage the final round of matches from March 22 to 30, 2027.