The Super Eagles suffered a heavy setback in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on Tuesday.
Guinea-Bissau defeated Nigeria 3-0 in Bissau to claim a second straight victory in Group L. Franculino Djú, Mama Baldé and Álvaro Djaló scored for the hosts.
The result leaves Nigeria on three points from two matches. Guinea-Bissau now lead the group with six points.
Guinea-Bissau Strike First
Nigeria struggled from the opening whistle.
Guinea-Bissau took control and created several dangerous moments before breaking the deadlock in the 15th minute.
Franculino Djú received the ball, moved into the Nigerian box and curled his shot beyond Stanley Nwabali.
The early goal unsettled the Super Eagles.
Nigeria struggled to create clear chances before half-time. The hosts also threatened on the counter whenever Nigeria pushed forward.
The Super Eagles went into the break 1-0 down.
Nigeria Fail to Find an Equaliser
Eric Chelle made two changes at the start of the second half.
Moses Simon and Moses Usor replaced Taiwo Awoniyi and Frank Onyeka as Nigeria searched for a way back into the match.
The changes gave the Super Eagles more attacking energy.
Simon and Usor combined to create an opportunity, but Usor could not beat Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper Fernando Embadje.
Simon later tested the goalkeeper again.
Nigeria still could not find the equaliser.
Guinea-Bissau punished them in the 66th minute.
Mama Baldé doubled the hosts’ lead with a low finish that went in off the post.
The goal put Nigeria in serious trouble.
Djaló Completes the Nightmare
Chelle responded with more attacking changes.
Tolu Arokodare, George Ilenikhena and Raphael Onyedika entered the game as Nigeria chased a comeback.
The Super Eagles pushed forward but struggled to break through.
Guinea-Bissau defended their advantage and waited for opportunities on the counter.
They found one in stoppage time.
Álvaro Djaló scored in the fifth minute of added time to make it 3-0.
The final whistle confirmed Nigeria’s first competitive regulation-time defeat under Chelle.
Chelle Points to Lack of Aggression
Chelle admitted that Nigeria failed to match Guinea-Bissau’s intensity.
The coach identified a lack of aggression among his players as one of the key reasons for the defeat.
He also pointed to the difficult pitch and weather conditions in Bissau.
However, Chelle acknowledged that Guinea-Bissau showed greater motivation and intensity during the game.
Nigeria’s AFCON 2027 Route Gets Tougher
Nigeria started the qualifying campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo.
The Super Eagles hoped to follow that result with another win.
Instead, Tuesday’s defeat leaves them three points behind Guinea-Bissau after two matches.
The situation makes the remaining fixtures increasingly important.
Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda will host the 2027 AFCON. Tanzania’s co-host status also affects the qualification picture, leaving the other Group L teams fighting for the remaining automatic qualification place.
Nigeria still have matches left to turn things around.
But the Super Eagles have little room for further mistakes.
Super Eagles Must Respond
The defeat exposed several problems for Nigeria.
The team struggled to create clear chances. They also failed to control the match after conceding the opening goal.
Guinea-Bissau, meanwhile, took their opportunities and defended their advantage effectively.
Nigeria will now need a strong response in the remaining qualifiers.
The Super Eagles will next face Russia in an international friendly on October 6 before returning to the AFCON qualifying campaign in November.
Tuesday’s result does not end Nigeria’s qualification hopes.
But it has made the road to AFCON 2027 considerably more difficult.
The Super Eagles must now find consistency, improve their attacking output and avoid further costly defeats.
