Former Nigeria defender Kadiri Ikhana (MON) has urged the Super Eagles to draw motivation from their failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the ongoing reforms in Nigerian football as they begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar on Friday, 25 September 2026, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Completesports.com reports.
The 74-year-old Ikhana, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kadiri Ikhana Football Academy (KIFA), Auchinleck, Edo State, told Completesports.com on Tuesday afternoon that, in terms of talent, quality and pedigree, the Super Eagles are head and shoulders above Madagascar, but expressed reservations about their Matchday 2 fixture away to Guinea-Bissau on 29 September in Bissau.
Super Eagles Have Quality To Beat Madagascar
“When you look at the quality of players available to the Super Eagles coach, Eric Sekou Chelle, you would come to the instant conclusion that the Super Eagles will stroll over Madagascar on Friday,” Ikhana, who guided Enyimba to become the first Nigerian club to win the CAF Champions League in 2003, began.
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“But where I have some concerns is the next game away to Guinea-Bissau on 29 September in Bissau. If you ask me, I will say the Super Eagles should look back to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals absence, and the reforms or what I can call ‘revolution’ currently going on in Nigerian football, as motivation.
Eagles Must Show Commitment — Ikhana
“They should understand that all eyes are on them in this new beginning. Everyone wants to see what lesson they have learnt from the events of the past months and what is still going on. This is a moment of test for them.
“This is the time for them to show commitment, determination and focus. They cannot afford to slip up this time around. I have confidence they can overcome Madagascar. But that match against Guinea-Bissau, I think, will be a bit difficult,” the 2003 CAF Coach of the Year stressed.
Nigeria, winners of the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980 (in Lagos), 1994 (in Tunisia) and 2013 (in South Africa), are in Group L of the qualifiers alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania.
The 2027 AFCON will be jointly staged by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania from 19 June to 17 July 2027, with 24 teams taking part.
