Ademola Lookman says Nigeria are determined to secure maximum points from their opening two Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, despite expecting difficult encounters.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles will begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign this week with a demanding double-header, and forward Ademola Lookman has made the team’s objective clear: win both matches.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25, before travelling to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau four days later on Tuesday, September 29.
Lookman acknowledged that neither fixture is expected to be straightforward but said the Nigerian squad is focused on collecting all six available points.
“The whole team is looking forward to it. Two very important games are approaching, and the opponents are, of course, difficult to face.”
The Atlético Madrid forward added that Nigeria would do everything possible to win both matches.
Lookman wants strong start to qualifying campaign
Nigeria enter the qualifiers with the importance of a positive start particularly clear after missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Super Eagles were eliminated in the African play-off final by DR Congo, meaning they will not participate at next year's World Cup. Their attention has now shifted to securing qualification for the 2027 AFCON finals.
Lookman stressed that the players understand the challenge ahead and are not taking either opponent lightly.
“We know that the games will be difficult, but we will do everything possible to achieve it,” he said.
The comments underline the approach Nigeria intends to take into the opening fixtures: respect the opposition while targeting maximum points.
Nigeria face Madagascar in Uyo
The first assignment comes against Madagascar in Uyo.
Playing at home gives Nigeria the opportunity to begin the qualifying campaign in front of their supporters, but Lookman has warned against assuming that the fixture will be easy.
Madagascar have become increasingly competitive in African football and will enter the match looking to frustrate the Super Eagles and claim a result away from home.
Nigeria's preparation has therefore centred on treating the fixture as a serious competitive test rather than relying solely on their status as one of Africa's historically prominent football nations.
The match will also provide head coach Éric Chelle with his first competitive opportunity to establish his side's approach to the AFCON qualifying campaign.
Guinea-Bissau await four days later
The second match presents a different challenge.
Nigeria will travel to Bissau just four days after the Madagascar fixture, leaving Chelle and his technical staff with a short turnaround between the two matches.
The Super Eagles will need to manage the physical demands of the schedule while adapting to an away environment against Guinea-Bissau.
The back-to-back fixtures mean Nigeria could potentially collect six points from their opening two matches, although Lookman's comments indicate that the players are aware that achieving that target will require strong performances in both games.
Osimhen ruled out of opening qualifiers
Nigeria's preparations have also been affected by the absence of Victor Osimhen.
The Galatasaray striker was initially included in Chelle's squad despite an injury, but the Super Eagles later confirmed that he would miss both qualifiers as he continues his recovery from a muscle strain.
Taiwo Awoniyi has subsequently been called up as Osimhen's replacement.
The development places additional responsibility on Nigeria's other attacking options, including Lookman, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare.
Lookman is therefore among the senior attacking players expected to contribute as Nigeria begin their campaign without one of their most prominent forwards.
Chelle keeps experienced core
Despite the injury setback, Chelle's squad retains several established Super Eagles players.
Lookman, captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Ola Aina and Stanley Nwabali are among the experienced players available for the opening fixtures.
The coach has also introduced new options, with Arthur Okonkwo, Isaac James and George Ilenikhena receiving senior call-ups for the first time.
The combination of experienced internationals and emerging players gives Chelle several options as he begins building his team for the qualifying campaign.
Tanzania's position makes Group L unusual
Nigeria's qualifying group also has a distinctive feature because Tanzania are among the co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON alongside Kenya and Uganda.
Tanzania already have a place at the tournament as hosts, leaving Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau competing for the remaining qualifying place in the group.
That makes every point particularly important for the three teams still seeking qualification.
For Nigeria, victories in Uyo and Bissau would provide an immediate foundation for their campaign, while dropped points could make the remaining fixtures more significant.
Super Eagles looking to return to AFCON
Nigeria have remained regular participants at the Africa Cup of Nations in recent editions.
The Super Eagles won bronze at the 2025 tournament in Morocco after reaching the semi-finals, continuing a run of strong appearances at the continental competition.
Their objective now is to secure another place at the finals in 2027.
For Lookman and his teammates, the first two matches offer an opportunity to begin that process with maximum points.
The Atlético Madrid forward's message is straightforward: Nigeria respect the difficulty of the opposition, but the squad is entering the fixtures with the intention of winning.
The first test comes against Madagascar in Uyo on September 25, followed by the trip to Guinea-Bissau on September 29.
With six points available from the opening double-header, the Super Eagles will attempt to turn Lookman's stated ambition into results on the pitch.
