FOOTBALL stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have urged the Super Eagles to go for victory against Madagascar to restore confidence in the team.

The Eagles will take on Madagascar in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

The stakeholders made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

Nigeria is drawn in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania, with the latter already assured of a place at the 2027 AFCON as one of the co-hosts.

Bunmi Haruna, former Golden Eaglets assistant coach, said the encounter would provide Chelle with an opportunity to assess his squad and integrate new players into the team.

“I think it’s a chance for the Super Eagles to regroup again. As a fan, I look at it as an opportunity for the coach to see what he has been trying to do since the Unity Tournament and other engagements.

“It is also a chance to see the new players who have played themselves into the team. I would like to see Arthur Okonkwo and how well he fits into the team.

“He looks like someone who can help the team play better, starting from the defence,” he said.

He said that the return of Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi and Benjamin Frederick, alongside the inclusion of Emmanuel Fernandez, would give Chelle more options to assess.

“We need to take advantage of these games and start winning right from the beginning,” he said.

Haruna, however, cautioned the players against underestimating Madagascar, saying the Super Eagles must prove their quality on the pitch.

“This is a side we expect the Super Eagles to beat at home, but saying it is one thing and doing it is another. The Eagles will still need to go onto the pitch and get the job done,” he said.

Also speaking, Salifu Usman, Sports Editor of Leadership Newspaper, urged the team to remain focused and begin the campaign with a victory.

“My advice to the Super Eagles is to focus on the game. Nigerians and football fans are not happy with the Super Eagles at the moment, especially because of what happened with the World Cup.

“Now we are back with the Nations Cup qualifiers. Although the Nations Cup cannot be compared with the World Cup, they need to start on a winning note,” Usman said.

He said the team had several key players, including Ademola Lookman, Taiwo Awoniyi, Alex Iwobi and Captain Wilfred Ndidi, in spite of the absence of Victor Osimhen through injury.

“We still have a strong squad capable of beating Madagascar. All I want is for the Super Eagles to go for the win. I can’t predict the scoreline, but I believe they should play for victory,” he said.

Usman said he would prefer Maduka Okoye to start ahead of Stanley Nwabali. “For the goalkeepers, whoever stands in goal can do the job, but I prefer Maduka Okoye of Udinese in Italy,“ he said.

In terms of current form, I believe Okoye is in the better position to start,” he added.

Chinedum Ohanusi, head of Sports production at Radio Nigeria, described the match as an opportunity for Chelle and the players to rebuild confidence following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“All I want to say is simple: this is an opportunity for the players and Eric Chelle, the coach, to redeem themselves. Nigeria didn’t need the kind of disappointment we experienced by failing to qualify for the last World Cup.

“We had two consecutive African Players of the Year in Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen. Does it mean we cannot showcase them on the biggest stage?” Ohanusi asked.

He urged the players to approach the Madagascar encounter with maximum seriousness in spite of Osimhen’s absence.

“They have to tackle Madagascar as if they are playing the best team in the world. Osimhen or not, this is an opportunity for the other players to prove that Nigeria can win matches without him.

“Osimhen is our leader and an important player, but without him, there is still Nigeria. There are still the Super Eagles,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to support the team as it begins its qualifying campaign, saying, “We should support them and encourage them. When they deliver, we can start trusting them again.”

NAN reports that the Super Eagles on Wednesday held a closed-door training session at the main bowl of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, as preparations continued for the encounter.

Nigeria will host Madagascar on Friday, at 5 p.m. at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, before travelling to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29. (NAN)