Madagascar hope to repeat 2019 shock win over Nigeria

Nigeria and Madagascar are set to face each other in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifying match, with Madagascar hoping to recreate one of the standout moments in their football history.

At the 2019 AFCON tournament, Madagascar stunned the football world by beating Nigeria 2-0. That result was regarded as one of the biggest surprises of the tournament at the time, given that Nigeria's national team, widely known as the Super Eagles, is considered one of the strongest and most respected sides on the African continent.

As the new AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign gets under way, Madagascar will look to spring another surprise against the same opponent they memorably defeated several years ago. Nigeria, for their part, will be aiming to avoid a repeat of that historic upset in this qualifier.

The fixture forms part of the wider AFCON 2027 qualifying schedule, in which African national teams are competing for places at the next continental championship. The 2019 meeting between the two sides is still remembered as an example of how even stronger, more established teams can suffer unexpected defeats against nominally weaker opponents.

While further details about the venue and other circumstances of the upcoming match were not specified in the available report, attention ahead of the game has largely centred on the historical parallel with the 2019 result and whether Madagascar can reproduce it.