The Super Eagles suffered a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Tuesday, September 27, 2026, at the Estádio 24 de Setembro in Bissau. Franculino Djú scored in the 15th minute, Mama Baldé doubled the lead in the 66th minute, and Álvaro Djaló added a third deep into stoppage time. This was Nigeria's first defeat under head coach Éric Chelle. The loss complicates Nigeria's path to the finals, with only the highest-ranked team from Group L, aside from co-hosts Tanzania, qualifying automatically.
Duke Udi, a former Nigeria international, defended Chelle, attributing the loss to the players rather than the coach. In an interview on a Lagos-based sports radio station, Udi said, "Don't pin the result on Eric Chelle. Leave Eric Chelle alone… Blame the players." He emphasized that European experience does not guarantee success in African competitions, stating, "If you don't bring your A-game into African competitions, you'll be disgraced." Udi cited other surprising results from the round, including Ghana's 4-2 home loss to The Gambia and Senegal's narrow 1-0 win over Ethiopia.
In contrast, Dimeji Lawal criticized Nigeria's player recruitment process. He argued that the team has too many overhyped players and that the country prioritizes foreign-born players with Nigerian names over those with local experience. Lawal stated, "We just run after players who have never set foot on our soil to come and play African football. You think African football is easy?" He drew comparisons with earlier generations of Nigerian players, such as Austin Okocha and Daniel Amokachi, who developed their skills in Africa before moving to Europe.
Lawal has previously spoken out about Nigeria's preparation and the need for stronger opposition in friendlies. In April, he called for the team to face tougher opponents, citing their talent but questioning their readiness for major competitions. The differing views from Udi and Lawal highlight the ongoing debate about the factors contributing to the Super Eagles' performance.
The defeat leaves Nigeria with three points from two matches in Group L, behind leaders Guinea-Bissau, who have six points. Nigeria's next qualifier is against Tanzania in Uyo on November 11. The Super Eagles will need to bounce back from this loss to keep their chances of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alive.
Éric Chelle's team had started the campaign positively, with a 2-1 win over Madagascar in their opener. However, the loss to Guinea-Bissau has raised concerns about their ability to compete against top African teams. The coach will need to address the issues that led to this defeat ahead of their next match.
The Super Eagles' performance will be closely watched by fans and analysts, with many expecting a strong showing from the team. The criticisms from Udi and Lawal reflect the high expectations surrounding the team and the need for improvement in their game. Key points: - Super Eagles lost 3-0 to Guinea-Bissau in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. - Duke Udi blames players for the loss, while Dimeji Lawal criticizes player recruitment. - Nigeria's next qualifier is against Tanzania in Uyo on November 11.
