Head Coach Éric Chelle has charged the Super Eagles to attack their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign from the first whistle.
‘We have to show everyone from Day One that we want it, and the only way to do that is to go for it with our hearts, and refuse to slow down at any point. We must go for the points without any hesitation,’ Chelle said ahead of the opening two matches, against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
The Eagles host the Barea of Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, tomorrow. They then fly to Bissau on Sunday for the Wild Dogs at the 24 September Stadium on Tuesday, 29 September.
Nigeria are keen to bank points early and avoid the late scramble that undermined their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, despite a late surge.
Defender Ola Aina and utility player Benjamin Fredricks return, alongside forward Taiwo Awoniyi, who is drafted in with Victor Osimhen unavailable.
Chelle has a selection headache in goal, with Maduka Okoye and Stanley Nwabali both fit. In defence, Fredricks, Aina, Bruno Onyemaechi, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Turkey-based Chibuike Nwaiwu are all available. Up front, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Samuel Chukwueze and newcomer George Ilenikhena are in top form.
Nigeria beat Madagascar 2-0 in Calabar on 5 September 2010, at the start of another AFCON qualifying race, and won by the same score in Antananarivo a year later.
The Barea, however, stunned the Eagles 2-0 in Alexandria on 30 June 2019, a group game in which Nigeria had already secured a place in the Round of 16.
Madagascar arrived in Uyo three clear days before kick-off, insisting they are ready for battle.
Super Eagles squad for Barea and Wild Dogs
Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic, England); Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy); Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos, Greece); Isaac James (Alverca, Portugal); Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford, England); Emmanuel Fernandez (Rangers, Scotland); Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England); Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor, Turkey); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey); Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England); Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany); Frank Onyeka (Coventry City, England)
Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City, England); Akor Adams (Venezia, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Ademola Lookman (Atlético Madrid, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Ajax, Netherlands); George Ilenikhena (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia); Moses Usor (LASK, Austria)