Guinea-Bissau Beat Nigeria 3-0 as Super Eagles Stumble

Guinea-Bissau beat Nigeria 3-0 in Bissau on Tuesday night, handing the Super Eagles a painful blow in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The result also ended a 36-year record. Nigeria had not lost a competitive match by three goals to an African side since 1990.

The Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro witnessed a night the visitors will want to forget quickly.

Djú Strikes Early

Franculino Djú gave the hosts the lead in the 15th minute. The Trabzonspor forward beat his marker on the edge of the box and curled a shot into the far corner. Stanley Nwabali had no chance.

Nigeria then controlled the ball, finishing with roughly 55 per cent possession. However, possession did not become chances. Eric Chelle’s men struggled to break down a well-organised home defence, and the first half ended with little to show.

Chelle’s Changes Fail to Spark a Response

Chelle acted at the break. He introduced Moses Usor and Moses Simon for Frank Onyeka and Taiwo Awoniyi. Even so, the Super Eagles stayed toothless in the final third.

Guinea-Bissau punished them in the 66th minute. Captain Mama Baldé got the better of Bright Osayi-Samuel and finished into the bottom corner. Chelle responded with further changes. Tolu Arokodare replaced Ademola Lookman, while George Ilenikhena and Raphael Onyedika came on for Akor Adams and Wilfred Ndidi. Still, Nigeria found no route back.

Álvaro Djaló then sealed the win in the 90+5th minute. He turned Osayi-Samuel on a counter-attack and finished to complete the rout.

The Numbers Behind the Defeat

Both sides managed 12 shots. Nevertheless, Guinea-Bissau put seven on target to Nigeria’s five. That gap in efficiency summed up the night.

Nigeria’s starting XI (4-3-1-2): Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Bassey, Omeruo (captain), Onyemaechi; Ndidi, Onyeka, Iwobi; Lookman; Awoniyi, Adams.

What It Means for Group L

Guinea-Bissau now lead Group L with six points from two matches. Nigeria sit on three points after beating Madagascar 2-1 earlier in the campaign. Tanzania have already qualified as co-hosts, so the margin for error is slim.

Consequently, Chelle faces serious questions about his side’s defensive shape and attacking sharpness.

Next Up for the Super Eagles

Nigeria play Russia in a friendly at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on 6 October. The game gives Chelle a chance to test his squad before qualifying resumes in November. In short, the Super Eagles must respond quickly to keep their AFCON 2027 hopes alive.

Sources: Soccernet NG, Premium Times, Soccernet NG on the 36-year record