Nigeria’s Super Eagles suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, losing control of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group after a difficult outing in Bissau.
According to The PUNCH, both teams entered the clash level on three points after winning their opening Group L fixtures, making the encounter a battle for early control of the qualification race.
Guinea-Bissau, however, dominated the contest at the Estádio 24 de Setembro and scored three unanswered goals to maintain their perfect start to the campaign.
Guinea-Bissau punish Super Eagles
The Djurtus entered the game on the back of a 2-0 away victory over Tanzania, while Nigeria had recovered from a goal down to defeat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo.
Despite the confidence generated by that opening win, Eric Chelle’s side struggled to impose themselves against the hosts.
Guinea-Bissau took advantage of Nigeria’s defensive problems and maintained control as the Super Eagles failed to find a response at the other end.
Chelle had warned before the match that Guinea-Bissau would present a different challenge.
“This is not the same team. They have their strengths and weaknesses,” he said.
Nigeria fail to build on Madagascar win
The defeat represents a sharp reversal for the Super Eagles, who began their campaign positively against Madagascar.
Debutants George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor had scored in the 2-1 victory in Uyo, raising expectations that Nigeria could maintain their winning start in Bissau.
However, the Super Eagles were unable to reproduce that attacking impact as Guinea-Bissau kept a clean sheet and secured all three points.
The hosts have now won their opening two qualifiers without conceding a goal.
Guinea-Bissau seize Group L advantage
The victory takes Guinea-Bissau to six points from two matches and gives them a three-point advantage over Nigeria.
Nigeria remain on three points after one win and one defeat.
Madagascar and Tanzania played out a 1-1 draw in the other Group L fixture, leaving both sides behind the leading pair.
Because Tanzania are co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON and have already qualified automatically, only the highest-placed team among Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar will claim the additional qualification spot from the group.
Pressure grows on Super Eagles
The result leaves Nigeria with little room for error in the remaining qualifiers.
Chelle’s side will need to recover when the qualification campaign resumes, with fixtures against Tanzania and Madagascar still to come before a return meeting with Guinea-Bissau.
Nigeria will eventually host the Djurtus in the final round of qualifiers in March 2027.
For now, Guinea-Bissau hold the advantage after handing the Super Eagles their first defeat of the campaign.
