Ndidi Urges Super Eagles to Start Strong Against Madagascar

Wilfred Ndidi, the captain of the Super Eagles, addressed the media during a pre-match press conference on Thursday, emphasizing the need for Nigeria to avoid a slow start in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar in Uyo. Ndidi reflected on Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stating that the team has learned valuable lessons from that experience.

He asserted that the players are determined to establish a strong momentum from the outset of their Group L encounter, which also includes Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania. Ndidi remarked, “We know the experiences of the last World Cup... it will never happen again because this is a focused team.” He acknowledged the competitive nature of the qualification process but reiterated that the Super Eagles are focused on accumulating maximum points rather than worrying about their rivals.

Ndidi concluded by stating that the team's primary focus is on their performance and securing qualification.