Chadian referee Alhadji Allaou Mahamat has been appointed to officiate Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixture against Madagascar.

The Group L encounter is scheduled for Friday, September 25, 2026, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, as the Super Eagles begin their campaign for a place at the 2027 continental finals. 

Mahamat will take charge of the highly anticipated encounter between Nigeria and the Barea of Madagascar, with the match forming part of the opening round of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.

Nigeria will be aiming to begin the qualifying campaign with a positive result on home soil, while Madagascar will seek to leave Uyo with a result that strengthens its own qualification hopes.

The appointment of Mahamat provides a neutral officiating presence for the encounter as both teams prepare for their first assignment in the qualifying series.

The Super Eagles are entering the qualifiers under head coach Eric Chelle, who named a 24-man squad for the opening matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

However, Nigeria will be without striker Victor Osimhen, who was ruled out of both September qualifiers as he continues his recovery from a muscle injury. 

Chelle still has several attacking options available, including Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare and George Ilenikhena. 

The Nigeria-Madagascar fixture is the first of two AFCON 2027 qualifying matches for the Super Eagles during the September international window.

Nigeria will travel to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29, four days after the Madagascar encounter. 

The Uyo fixture therefore represents an important opening opportunity for Chelle’s side as Nigeria begins its pursuit of qualification for the 2027 AFCON tournament.