Nigeria midfielder Frank Onyeka has challenged Nigeria to adopt a winning mentality in every game as the three-time African champions prepare to begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar.

Nigeria will host the Barea at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25, before travelling to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau four days later in their second Group L fixture. 

Onyeka, who is part of Eric Chelle’s 24-man squad, acknowledged the disappointment of Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but said the team has already shifted its attention to the next major assignment.

The Coventry City midfielder said the immediate objective is to start the AFCON qualifying campaign strongly and maintain the determination to win every fixture.

“Just like every other match that we’ll be playing, we have to win every game. I know we’re quite disappointed not to qualify for the World Cup, but now we’re back. We have something to prepare for, which is the Afcon next year,” he told Ademola Victor TV. 

With Madagascar standing between Nigeria and a positive start to the qualifying campaign, Onyeka stressed the importance of making home advantage count in Uyo.

The midfielder said the Super Eagles would respect their opponents but would remain primarily focused on their own performance and execution.

“So, I guess we’ll take every game as it comes, but for us, we want to win this game, especially when we’re playing on our own ground. We don’t underestimate anything. 

“We focus only on ourselves. We don’t focus on the opponent. So, we have to play well to win. That’s what we are focusing on: to play well and win.” 

Onyeka is among the midfield options available to Chelle for the opening qualifiers, with Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Raphael Onyedika also included in the squad.

The Super Eagles have already commenced preparations in Uyo, with Onyeka among the players involved in training ahead of the Madagascar encounter.

The match will also mark the beginning of a new AFCON qualifying campaign for Chelle, who will be looking to guide Nigeria through a group that also includes Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania.

Nigeria’s immediate task is to secure a positive result against Madagascar before turning attention to the trip to Bissau on September 29.

For Onyeka, however, the message to his teammates is straightforward: the disappointment of missing the World Cup must now give way to a determined pursuit of AFCON qualification.

The midfielder’s emphasis on winning every game reflects the Super Eagles’ stated objective as they begin the road towards the 2027 tournament.

With home advantage behind them, Nigeria will hope to translate their preparations into a strong performance when they take on Madagascar in Uyo on Friday.