Madagascar’s national team, the Barea, have arrived in Uyo ahead of their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

A 28-man delegation comprising players and officials arrived in Akwa Ibom State on Monday ahead of Friday’s encounter at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

The visitors are expected to use the remaining days before the match to settle in and complete their preparations for the Group L encounter.

The match is scheduled for Friday, September 25, with kick-off set for 5pm Nigerian time.

Nigeria will begin its qualification campaign under head coach Éric Chelle, with the Super Eagles also preparing at their camp in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.

The Nigerian team held its first training session on Tuesday as players continued to arrive in camp ahead of the fixture.

Madagascar, meanwhile, will be looking to make a strong start to the qualifying campaign after missing the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The Barea made their AFCON debut in 2019 and reached the quarter-finals of that tournament in Egypt, marking their best-ever performance at the competition.

The two nations are in Group L alongside Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania. Nigeria will travel to face Guinea-Bissau in its second qualifying fixture on September 29, four days after the Madagascar encounter.

Nigeria will, however, enter the opening match without striker Victor Osimhen, who has been ruled out of both September qualifiers as he continues his recovery from a muscle injury.

With both teams now in Akwa Ibom and preparations entering their final phase, attention has shifted to Friday’s meeting in Uyo as Nigeria and Madagascar begin their respective campaigns for a place at the 2027 AFCON finals.