Former Nigeria defender Kadiri Ikhana has called on the Super Eagles to treat their absence from the 2026 FIFA World Cup — and the sweeping reforms reshaping Nigerian football — as fuel for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, which kicks off against Madagascar on Friday, 25 September 2026, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

Super Eagles have the quality, says Ikhana

The 74-year-old Ikhana, founder and chief executive officer of the Kadiri Ikhana Football Academy in Auchinleck, Edo State, believes coach Eric Sekou Chelle's squad holds a clear advantage over Madagascar in terms of talent and pedigree. He told Completesports.com that the home fixture should be straightforward — but he is less certain about what follows.