Super Eagles Stunned in Bissau as Guinea-Bissau Win 3-0 in AFCON Qualifier
Nigeria suffered their heaviest defeat in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, but the road to the 2027 finals remains open.
Nigeria's Super Eagles suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Tuesday, a result that has complicated their campaign in Group L.
The match was played at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro in Bissau. Franculino Djú gave the hosts the lead in the first half. Mama Baldé and Álvaro Djaló added further goals, and the Super Eagles could not find a way back into the contest.
A night of unwanted records
Reports indicate that the scoreline is the Super Eagles' heaviest defeat in AFCON qualifying history. It is also their biggest margin of defeat in a qualifying match since a 5-1 loss to Algeria in 1990. The result ended the unbeaten competitive run of head coach Eric Chelle in regulation time. Guinea-Bissau, for their part, had never before beaten Nigeria by more than a single goal.
Where the group stands
Nigeria now have three points from two Group L matches, following their earlier win over Madagascar. Guinea-Bissau lead the group with six points after back-to-back victories over Tanzania and the Super Eagles. Only one place is available to the non-hosts in the group, so there is little room for further slips.
The road ahead
The Super Eagles remain in control of their own fate. They will play Tanzania twice during the November international break. Maximum points from those fixtures would restore their position before the final two games, at home to Guinea-Bissau and away to Madagascar.
Coach Chelle has said the team must now win both of the games that follow. Supporters will hope that the squad's depth and quality can answer the setback on the pitch.
