Frank Onyeka has called on the Super Eagles to start their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a victory over Madagascar, Bold Sports reports.
Nigeria will welcome Madagascar to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25. The Super Eagles will then travel to Bissau for another qualifier against Guinea-Bissau four days later.
Onyeka arrives for international duty after completing 90 minutes for Coventry City in their 1-0 Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest on September 19. He has started all four of his Premier League appearances this season.
His recent involvement gives Eric Chelle another experienced midfield option as Nigeria begin their latest qualification campaign.
Nigeria missed out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, Onyeka believes the squad must now focus fully on securing a place at the next AFCON tournament.
“Just like every other match that we’ll be playing, we have to win every game. I know we’re quite disappointed not to qualify for the World Cup, but now we’re back. We have something to prepare for, which is the Afcon next year,” he told Ademola Victor TV.
Onyeka also stressed the importance of making their home fixture count.
The Coventry midfielder said Nigeria must respect Madagascar. However, he insisted that the team’s attention remains on its own performance.
“So, I guess we’ll take every game as it comes, but for us, we want to win this game, especially when we’re playing on our own ground. We don’t underestimate anything.
“We focus only on ourselves. We don’t focus on the opponent. So, we have to play well to win. That’s what we are focusing on: to play well and win.”
Onyeka is part of Chelle’s 24-man squad for Nigeria’s opening qualifiers. He joins Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Raphael Onyedika among the midfield options.
Nigeria’s campaign carries added importance in Group L. Tanzania are already guaranteed a place at the 2027 finals as one of the co-hosts. Only the highest-placed team other than Tanzania will advance from the group.
The Super Eagles will therefore look to begin their campaign strongly when Madagascar arrive in Uyo.
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