Nigeria's Super Eagles were defeated 3-0 by Guinea-Bissau in their second Group L match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Tuesday in Bissau, ending coach Eric Chelle's unbeaten start to his tenure. The hosts took the lead in the 15th minute when Franculino Dju curled a shot into the far corner past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Despite tactical changes at halftime—substituting Frank Onyeka and Taiwo Awoniyi with Moses Usor and Moses Simon—Nigeria struggled to counter Guinea-Bissau's dominance. The hosts extended their advantage in the 66th minute through Mama Baldé, while goalkeeper Djoco Embadje denied George Ilenikhena's late effort in the 87th minute.
Guinea-Bissau completed the victory with a third goal in stoppage time from Álvaro Djaló, securing their second consecutive win in the qualifiers. The result elevated Guinea-Bissau to six points from two matches after previously defeating Tanzania 2-0, while Nigeria remained on three points following their 2-1 comeback win over Madagascar. Chelle's side now faces pressure to regroup as the qualification campaign progresses, with the Super Eagles needing to overturn their deficit in upcoming fixtures. The defeat underscores the challenges of the Group L race, where consistency will be critical for both teams.
The loss highlights the precarious state of Nigeria's AFCON 2027 campaign, as the Super Eagles aim to avoid a first-round exit. Chelle, who took charge in 2023, has faced scrutiny over his tactical decisions, particularly in away matches. Guinea-Bissau's victory, their first against Nigeria in competitive history, signals their growing competitiveness in regional football. Analysts note that Nigeria's reliance on individual brilliance rather than structured play has been a recurring issue, a concern that must be addressed ahead of their next qualifier.
Nigeria's next match in the qualifiers will determine whether they can salvage their campaign, with the Super Eagles needing to replicate the resilience shown in their Madagascar victory. Meanwhile, Guinea-Bissau's success has positioned them as a dark horse in the group, raising questions about the broader dynamics of African football's qualification process. The result also adds urgency to Nigeria's preparations for the 2027 tournament, which they had initially been set to host before losing the bid to Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.