AFCON qualifying starts this week, and Nigeria are one of the favourites to go all the way in next year’s tournament. They are in action against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Friday.

Nigeria hit by Osimhen blow

Any chance of Nigeria’s main attacking stars all featuring in this encounter has been dashed by the injury withdrawal of Victor Osimhen. He has not yet recovered from a thigh problem sustained for Galatasaray.

Taiwo Awoniyi has been called up to replace Osimhen, but Tolu Arokodare may get the chance to lead the line in this game. The Ajax forward has netted twice across 10 previous appearances for the Super Eagles.

Zaidu Sanusi is another notable absentee for the hosts. Éric Chelle has called up nine uncapped players, while the likes of William Troost-Ekong and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru have been left out. Youngsters such as Mubarak Suleiman and Umar Abubakar will be hoping to make their debuts off the bench.

Nigeria predicted lineup vs Madagascar (4-2-3-1): Nwabali; Aina, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Ndidi, Onyedika; Chukwueze, Iwobi, Lookman; Arokodare.

Madagascar to use wing-backs in tough away fixture

While some coaches in Africa have favoured a youthful approach this week, Corentin Martins has largely stuck with his experienced players. However, he has handed first call-ups to goalkeeper Zacharie Boucher and striker Roman Ferber.

Madagascar are expected to set up with a 3-5-2 structure. Mathieu Acapandié and Radoniaina Rabemanantsoa should offer the width, although their primary responsibility may be to drop deep and defend against Nigeria’s dangerous wingers.

Arnaud Randrianantenaina is likely to offer the visiting team’s main goal threat. The 25-year-old forward has struck five times in 31 appearances for his country.

Madagascar predicted lineup vs Nigeria (3-5-2): Dupire; Kari, Fontaine, Pelmard; Acapandié, Ilaimaharitra, Raveloson, Lapoussin, Rabemanantsoa; Abdallah, Randrianantenaina.

Nigeria vs Madagascar Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Nigeria to win
  • Odds: 1.25 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Nigeria 3-1 Madagascar
  • 22Bet Booking Code: XLRZH

Key stats:

  • Nigeria won five of their six fixtures at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
  • The Super Eagles have only been beaten once in their last 14 internationals in regulation time.
  • Madagascar collected just one point from their four matches against top-three opponents in their 2026 World Cup qualifying group.

Backing Nigeria to win is a safe option. They have enough attacking depth to cope with Osimhen’s absence in a favourable fixture such as this. They will still ask plenty of questions on the flanks with Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman, who has scored 11 times in 43 international appearances.

While Madagascar’s overall recent record isn’t bad, their results against the strongest African sides have been consistently poor. They failed to reach the World Cup largely because they lost both games against group winners Ghana, by a combined score of 4-0. Their last match ended in a 4-0 friendly loss against Morocco, which would also have damaged morale.

Nigeria vs Madagascar Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Nigeria to score over 2.5 goals
  • Odds: 2.27 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: 91SZH

Madagascar lost three times during the 2025/26 season, and they conceded three or more goals in all of those defeats. Martins’ side have kept just one clean sheet in their past seven matches.

Backing Nigeria to score over 2.5 goals offers value. They were one of the most exciting teams at the most recent AFCON, averaging 2.33 goals per game.

Verdict: Nigeria to win (1.25) — Nigeria 3-1 Madagascar