Nigeria's Super Eagles have departed Uyo for Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau in a crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match on Tuesday. The team left Uyo on Sunday afternoon after a closed-door training session at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. The session, which began at 10am, was their final workout in Nigeria before heading to the airport for a 3pm departure on a chartered flight.
Coach Éric Chelle's side enters the encounter with three points after a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in their opening Group L fixture in Uyo. Nigeria fell behind to Ehsan Kari's 16th-minute strike but fought back through debutant George Ilenikhena in first-half stoppage time and Moses Usor in the 65th minute. This win puts Nigeria in a strong position in Group L.
Guinea-Bissau also secured three points in their opening match, defeating Tanzania 2-0 away from home. This result puts the Wild Dogs at the top of Group L on goal difference, ahead of Nigeria. The Group L meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 29 September, with kick-off at 5pm Nigerian time at the Estádio 24 de Setembro in Bissau.
Chelle will have another training session in Guinea-Bissau to fine-tune his plans for the encounter. He has warned that the Wild Dogs will present a different challenge from Madagascar. The coach expressed satisfaction with his team's performance against Madagascar, saying they found a solution to a difficult situation.
The encounter carries added significance because Tanzania are already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON finals as co-hosts. Consequently, only the highest-ranked team among Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar will qualify from Group L. This makes Tuesday's fixture an early opportunity for either side to strengthen its position in the race for the group's sole qualifying ticket.
With both Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau beginning their campaigns with victories, the encounter offers a chance for either side to gain an advantage. The Super Eagles are seeking to build on their momentum after a comeback win over Madagascar. The team's performance in this match will be crucial in determining their chances of qualifying for the 2027 AFCON finals.
The Super Eagles will face a tough challenge in Guinea-Bissau, but they are confident of securing a positive result. The team's departure from Uyo marks the beginning of their journey to Bissau, where they will face the Wild Dogs in a crucial qualifier. The outcome of this match will have a significant impact on the team's chances of qualifying for the 2027 AFCON finals.
Key points
- Nigeria's Super Eagles face Guinea-Bissau in a crucial 2027 AFCON qualifier on Tuesday.
- The match is a significant encounter in Group L, with only the highest-ranked team qualifying for the 2027 AFCON finals.
- Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau both began their campaigns with victories, making Tuesday's fixture an early opportunity for either side to strengthen its position.
