Nigeria’s qualification hopes suffered a major blow as the Super Eagles lose to Guinea-Bissau 3-0 in a shocking matchday two performance at the 24 September Stadium in Bissau on Tuesday.
The loss, a first for coach Eric Chelle in a competitive match and within 90 minutes, raises fears of missing another major tournament.
Coach Eric Chelle couldn’t help but admit the loss and tried hard not to blame the pitch both teams played on.
“I apologize to the fans. Guinea-Bissau were the better side. The pitch is also bad, but we accept responsibilities.”
Before the game, Chelle revealed the pitch’s condition and how he intends to handle it.
“You’ve seen the pitch, you’ve walked across it. I don’t want to talk about it. When we train and feel it, we can them now decide what our tactics will be.”
Match Report
Franculino Dju’s 15th-minute curler into the far corner opened the floodgates, with the Eagles’ defence caught napping.
Stanley Nwabali could not keep out the effort, giving Guinea-Bissau an early advantage.
The Super Eagles attempted to respond as the first half progressed, with Ademola Lookman providing an attacking outlet. Frank Onyeka also went close in the 28th minute, but his effort struck the side netting. Nigeria went into the interval trailing 1-0.
Éric Chelle made two changes at half-time, introducing Moses Usor for Onyeka and Moses Simon for Taiwo Awoniyi as Nigeria searched for a way back into the contest.
The hosts eventually doubled their advantage in the 66th minute through Baldé. The forward cut inside from the left, before curling his effort off the post and into the net.
Chelle later brought on Tolu Arokodare for Lookman as the Super Eagles continued their search for a response, but Nigeria were unable to reduce the deficit.
Deep into stoppage time, Guinea-Bissau completed the scoring when Djaló struck in the 90+5th minute to make it 3-0 and seal all three points for the hosts.
The defeat leaves Nigeria with Tanzania next in the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign during the November international window.
Before then, the Super Eagles will face Russia in an international friendly at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on October 6.
Nigeria remain second in Group L on three points, while Guinea-Bissau move to the top with six points.
Bad pitch in Bissau, but it was always coming after that unconvincing display in Uyo on Friday.