Reviewed by Rahmon OluwoNigeria sports betting writer
Published 5 September 2026
Nigeria open their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign this month in Group L, a four team group with only one qualifying place in it, because Tanzania are already at the finals as one of the host countries.
Group L is Nigeria, Madagascar, Guinea Bissau and Tanzania. Tanzania host the finals alongside Kenya and Uganda, so their place is already booked and they cannot take the group’s qualifying spot. That leaves Eric Chelle’s side, Madagascar and Guinea Bissau with one place between them.
It is a harder arithmetic than the group looks. In a normal four team group the top two go through and a slow start can be repaired. Here there is no second place to fall into.
Uyo first, then Bissau
Nigeria play Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on matchday one, then travel to Guinea Bissau for matchday two. Both fall in the second half of September, inside the international window.
Uyo matters on its own account. It has been the ground the Super Eagles go to when a home result has to be delivered rather than hoped for, and it is where this campaign starts.
What the finals look like
The tournament runs from 19 June to 17 July 2027 across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, the first Africa Cup of Nations shared by three host countries. That is also why Group L is shaped the way it is: host countries qualify automatically and still play the qualifiers, which removes a place from every group they sit in.
Where to bet: AFCON qualifying is priced in naira on SportyBet and Bet9ja, both operating under Nigerian state licences, on match result, both teams to score, correct score and qualification outrights, with deposits through OPay, Moniepoint and bank transfer. A group with one qualifying place prices differently from an ordinary one, because the outright is effectively a straight three way market, so compare the two books before you stake. Our guide to the best betting sites in Nigeria covers licensing and withdrawal times, and there is more in Nigeria soccer news. 18+. Gamble responsibly.
