Former Nigeria defender Azubuike Egwuekwe has urged the Super Eagles to treat every 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with the utmost seriousness after warning that a repeat of the errors made during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign could cost them again.
Nigeria open their Group L campaign against Madagascar in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday, 25 September 2026. They will then travel to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau four days later.
Egwuekwe, a member of Nigeria’s 2013 AFCON-winning squad, issued his warning on Monday evening as the Super Eagles began preparations at their camp in Ikot Ekpene.
The former defender said Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup was partly the result of a poor approach at the start of the qualifying series.
“We didn’t go to the 2026 World Cup because we didn’t take the qualifiers seriously from the beginning and we paid dearly for it,” Egwuekwe said.
“And again, perhaps we felt that our group opponents then were not up to scratch, so we assumed it was going to be a walk in the park for us. By the time reality began to dawn on us, the usual fire brigade approach set in and, eventually, we lost out.”
‘There are no minnows’
Egwuekwe said Nigeria must not assume Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau or Tanzania will be easy opponents in Group L.
“One hopes the team, this time, isn’t going to toe that path again. We must not begin to assume that Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania, who are in our group (L), would lie down for us to stroll over,” he said.
The former international pointed to Cape Verde’s performance during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers as evidence that reputation and previous expectations cannot determine the outcome of matches.
“Events have shown there are no minnows in the game of football these days. Take the case of Cape Verde during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers as an example,” he said.
His advice was for Nigeria to approach every fixture as though it were decisive in the race for qualification.
“So, to me, I think approaching each game with our best and with all seriousness, as though that was the only game standing between us and a ticket, should be the best approach,” Egwuekwe added.
“We cannot afford the mistakes of the past while hoping for success. Yes, in terms of talent, Nigeria has it, much more in abundance than any other country in Africa and beyond.”
He said the team now had to convert that talent into consistent results, beginning with Friday’s meeting with Madagascar.
Nigeria, three-time winners of the AFCON, will meet Guinea-Bissau in their second Group L fixture in Bissau.
The 2027 AFCON will be staged simultaneously in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania from 19 June to 17 July 2027. A total of 24 teams will compete in the tournament.