The Confederation of African Football has released the schedule for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, providing Nigeria and other teams with a clear path to the prestigious continental event, Naija Footy reports.
The Super Eagles, among others, are gearing up for a challenging qualification phase as they aim to secure their spot at the AFCON finals.
The initial two rounds of qualifying are set for September, with the first round taking place between September 23 and 25, followed by the second round from September 27 to 29. CAF has mandated that teams receive at least two full days of rest between matches to help manage the physical demands of the tightly scheduled fixtures.
After the September qualifiers, teams will have the opportunity to engage in international friendlies from October 1 to 6. This period will be valuable for national coaches to evaluate new talent, test tactical plans, and deepen their squads in preparation for upcoming competitive matches.
The qualification campaign will pick up again in November, with the third round set for November 11 to 13 and the fourth from November 15 to 17. The last two rounds will occur during the March 2027 international window, with matches five and six scheduled from March 22 to 30.
For Nigeria, this schedule offers Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle and his technical team a clear path forward in their journey. The qualifiers will provide a platform for rising players to prove themselves, while seasoned players will be expected to lead the charge in securing a place at the tournament.
With the dates now locked in, focus will gradually shift to preparations, roster selections, and the eventual qualification draw. Nigeria is anticipated to approach the campaign with the goal of reaching the AFCON finals and vying for another continental title, but they must first navigate through the qualifying rounds successfully.
