The Super Eagles of Nigeria will depart Uyo on Sunday for their second Group L fixture of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Guinea-Bissau. The team, led by head coach Éric Chelle, will hold a closed-door training session at 10am before proceeding to the airport at 2pm for their 3pm departure. This tight schedule comes after Nigeria's opening victory over Madagascar on Friday, where they came from behind to win 2-1.
Nigeria's victory over Madagascar was fueled by debutants George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor, who scored the goals that handed Chelle's team maximum points in its opening assignment. Ilenikhena equalized in first-half stoppage time, while Usor completed the comeback in the 65th minute. The starting line-up against Madagascar also provided an indication of the core Chelle could rely on in Bissau, with Stanley Nwabali in goal and Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, and Bruno Onyemaechi forming the defensive line.
The Super Eagles have several attacking options at their disposal for the Guinea-Bissau encounter, including Ilenikhena, Usor, Akor Adams, Moses Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi, Tolu Arokodare, Ademola Lookman, and Samuel Chukwueze. Awoniyi was brought in to replace Victor Osimhen, who was ruled out of both AFCON qualifiers with an injury. The midfield also offers considerable experience, with captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, and Raphael Onyedika available.
Guinea-Bissau will enter Tuesday's encounter with confidence after producing one of the opening round's notable results by defeating Tanzania 2-0 away from home on Friday. Franculino Djú opened the scoring for Guinea-Bissau in the 33rd minute before Mama Baldé added the second in the 58th minute. This result sets up a potentially significant contest when Nigeria visits Bissau, with only the highest-placed non-host nation in Group L qualifying for the finals.
The short turnaround between the Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau fixtures leaves Chelle with limited preparation time. Sunday's closed training session will provide the coach with another opportunity to assess the physical condition of his players, work on tactical adjustments, and determine the personnel best suited to the away assignment. The Super Eagles will also have to cope with the change in environment and the pressure of playing away from home.
The defensive unit will be particularly important as Nigeria seeks to prevent Guinea-Bissau from reproducing the attacking efficiency that earned them victory in Tanzania. At the other end, Chelle will expect players such as Lookman, Iwobi, Chukwueze, Adams, Ilenikhena, Usor, Simon, Awoniyi, and Arokodare to provide the attacking threat. A victory in Bissau would put Nigeria in a strong early position in the race to finish as the highest-ranked non-host nation in the group.
The Super Eagles currently sit on three points after the opening round, while Guinea-Bissau also have three points following their victory over Tanzania. Madagascar will face Tanzania in the other Group L fixture on Tuesday. With the match scheduled for Tuesday, the early departure is expected to give the Super Eagles enough time to settle in and complete their final preparations before the encounter.
Key points
- Nigeria's Super Eagles face Guinea-Bissau in AFCON 2027 qualifier
- Super Eagles have several attacking options for the Guinea-Bissau encounter
- Guinea-Bissau enter the encounter with confidence after defeating Tanzania 2-0
