Sports
Super Eagles Suffer Heavy 3-0 Defeat to Guinea-Bissau in 2027 AFCON Qualifier
Nigeria’s Super Eagles suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash in Bissau on Tuesday.
Franculino Dju opened the scoring for the hosts in the 15th minute, curling a well-placed effort into the far corner beyond Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Nigeria struggled to create clear-cut chances for much of the first half, although Ademola Lookman forced Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper Djoco Embadje into a save.
Lookman, Taiwo Awoniyi and Akor Adams were unable to find a breakthrough as Guinea-Bissau maintained their 1-0 advantage at half-time.
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle made two changes at the start of the second half, introducing Moses Simon and Moses Usor as Nigeria searched for an equaliser.
However, Guinea-Bissau doubled their lead in the 66th minute when Mama Baldé cut in from the left and curled a fine effort beyond Nwabali.
Chelle subsequently introduced Tolu Arokodare, Victor Ilenikhena and Raphael Onyedika as Nigeria pushed forward in search of a way back into the game.
Ilenikhena came close to reducing the deficit, but Embadje produced an excellent save to deny the young forward from close range.
Guinea-Bissau remained composed as Nigeria struggled to break down their defence, and the hosts eventually added a third goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time through Álvaro Djaló.
The defeat leaves Nigeria with work to do in Group L of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers after the Super Eagles opened their campaign with a victory.
With Tanzania, one of the tournament’s co-hosts, already guaranteed a place at AFCON 2027, Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau are competing for the group’s remaining qualification spot.
