Nigeria's Super Eagles suffered a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The match took place at the Estádio 24 de Setembro in Bissau on September 30, 2026. Guinea-Bissau's Alfa Semedo was sent off in the 88th minute, but Nigeria could not capitalize on the opportunity. The loss followed Nigeria's 2-1 comeback win over Madagascar in their Group L opener.
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle attributed the team's poor performance to Guinea-Bissau's aggressive play, especially in the first half. He expressed confidence in his team's ability to recover from the loss. Chelle pointed to the four remaining matches, including the return fixture against Guinea-Bissau in Nigeria. He urged his players to stay calm and make use of the opportunity in the return leg.
Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba described the performance as "disappointing" and criticized the team's defensive play. He blamed the failure to press for the goals and called for a rethink of team selection. Ikpeba expressed concern about the team's over-reliance on foreign-born players and suggested that Nigeria needs to develop its local talent.
The loss left Nigeria with three points from two games, while Guinea-Bissau topped the group with six points after winning both matches. Nigeria's next matches include a game against Tanzania in the November window, followed by a trip to Madagascar and a return fixture against Guinea-Bissau. Chelle emphasized that the team still has a chance to make a comeback in the qualifying campaign.
Ikpeba called on the team to show a better reaction in their upcoming matches and to fight harder, especially when playing away from home. He stressed the importance of closing up on opponents and defending well in African football. The team's performance was criticized for being sloppy, with Chelle acknowledging that it was not good for the team.
Despite the setback, Chelle remained optimistic about the team's chances. He emphasized that one poor performance should not define the team's campaign. The coach expressed confidence in his team's ability to bounce back and make a strong comeback in the remaining matches.
The Super Eagles will look to bounce back from the defeat in their upcoming matches. The team's reaction to the loss will be crucial in determining their chances of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria's football fans will be eagerly awaiting the team's next performances.
Key points
- Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle urges calm after 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau
- Victor Ikpeba criticizes team's defensive play and calls for rethink of team selection
- Nigeria still has four matches to make a comeback in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign
