‘We Are Highly Motivated to Beat Nigeria’ — Madagascar Coach Corentin Martins Upbeat Ahead of Super Eagles Clash
Madagascar head coach Corentin Martins says his players are highly motivated to beat Nigeria as the Barea prepare to face the Super Eagles in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo today.
The Group L encounter is scheduled for 5pm at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, with both nations looking to make a winning start to their qualifying campaign.
Martins, speaking at Thursday’s pre-match press conference, acknowledged the quality within Nigeria’s squad but insisted that Madagascar will approach the contest with confidence and a strong desire to secure a positive result.
The French coach said his players are motivated by the challenge of facing one of Africa’s leading football nations and are prepared to compete against the Super Eagles on their home ground.
“We are highly motivated. We know Nigeria have good players playing in different parts of the world, but we are ready to give our best,” Martins said.
Madagascar’s confidence is also rooted in recent history. The Barea stunned Nigeria with a 2-0 victory at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, a result that remains one of the most notable wins in the country’s football history.
However, Martins acknowledged that the circumstances are different this time, with Nigeria possessing a considerably changed squad and a new technical set-up under coach Éric Chelle.
The Madagascar boss also admitted that Nigeria’s absence of star striker Victor Osimhen could work in his side’s favour, but he was careful not to underestimate the attacking options available to the Super Eagles.
Despite Osimhen’s absence, Nigeria still have several players capable of influencing the game, while Chelle has demanded an aggressive approach from his team in their first competitive assignment under his leadership.
For Martins, however, the focus remains on what Madagascar can produce on the pitch.
The Barea have also had time to acclimatise to the Nigerian environment after arriving ahead of the fixture, with the coaching staff using the additional preparation time to fine-tune their tactical approach.
Madagascar’s stated objective is to qualify for the 2027 AFCON, making every point in the qualifying campaign significant. A result in Uyo would therefore provide Martins’ side with an early boost in a group that also includes other teams competing for qualification.
Nigeria, meanwhile, will be looking to turn home advantage into three points and begin their campaign on a positive note.
With memories of Madagascar’s 2019 upset still fresh, Martins and his players will enter the Uyo encounter knowing the Super Eagles will be determined to avoid another surprise.
Kick-off: 5pm
Venue: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo
Match: Nigeria vs Madagascar
Competition: 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers, Group L
