Super Eagles Suffer Heavy 3-0 Defeat to Guinea-Bissau in Bissau

Nigeria’s Super Eagles suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday in their second Group L match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The match at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro in Bissau saw Guinea-Bissau take control early and punish Nigeria’s defensive lapses, securing a second consecutive victory in the qualifying group.

Franculino Djú opened the scoring for the hosts in the 15th minute. The forward received a long ball from Renato Nhaga before cutting into the area and curling a left-footed effort beyond Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

Nigeria struggled to produce a response, although Ademola Lookman came close to an equaliser before half-time after being set up by Alex Iwobi. Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper Djoco Embadjé produced a crucial save to preserve the hosts’ advantage.

Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle made two changes at the start of the second half, introducing Moses Simon and Moses Usor for Frank Onyeka and Taiwo Awoniyi as Nigeria searched for a way back into the contest.

The changes, however, did not produce the desired turnaround. Guinea-Bissau doubled their advantage in the 66th minute when Mama Baldé received the ball from Mamadi Camará before cutting into the Nigerian penalty area and firing a low effort past Nwabali.

Nigeria had a late opportunity to reduce the deficit, but Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper Embadjé denied George Ilenikhena from close range in the 87th minute.

The hosts then completed the victory in the fifth minute of stoppage time, with Álvaro Djaló scoring Guinea-Bissau’s third goal to seal a convincing win.

The result is Nigeria’s first defeat under Chelle since he took charge of the Super Eagles. It also leaves Nigeria with three points from two matches, following their 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo in their opening qualifier.

Guinea-Bissau, meanwhile, move to six points after following up their opening 2-0 away victory over Tanzania with another win. Madagascar and Tanzania drew 1-1 in the other Group L match on Tuesday, leaving both sides on one point.

The qualification situation is particularly significant because Tanzania is co-hosting the 2027 AFCON alongside Kenya and Uganda and has already secured its place at the tournament. That leaves Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar competing for the group’s available qualifying position.

Nigeria will now have to regroup before the qualifiers resume in November, when the Super Eagles are scheduled to face Tanzania in a double-header. Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar will meet in the other fixtures.

For the Super Eagles, the 3-0 defeat represents a difficult setback after their winning start in Uyo and puts greater importance on the remaining matches in their qualification campaign.