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| Photo Credit — Super Eagles After Losing to Guinea-Bissau |
Guinea-Bissau produced one of the biggest results of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign so far, defeating Nigeria 3-0 on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, at the Estádio 24 de Setembro in Bissau. The hosts controlled the key moments and punished the Super Eagles on the counter, leaving Group L wide open after two matches.
Franculino Djú opened the scoring in the 15th minute, finishing a move started by Renato Nhaga. Nigeria enjoyed the majority of possession (around 55%) and created several chances, including opportunities that tested the home goalkeeper, but they could not find an equaliser before the break. The visitors went into half-time trailing 1-0 despite recording more shots overall.
Nigeria coach Éric Chelle made changes at the start of the second half, introducing fresh attacking options in an attempt to force a way back into the contest. The Super Eagles continued to push forward, yet Guinea-Bissau remained dangerous on the break. Mama Baldé doubled the lead in the 66th minute, converting a well-worked chance. Further substitutions followed as Nigeria chased the game, with players such as Tolu Arokodare, Gift Orban and Raphael Onyedika entering the action.
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Late drama arrived when Guinea-Bissau were reduced to 10 men in the 88th minute after Alfa Semedo was dismissed for unsportsmanlike conduct. Even with the numerical advantage, Nigeria could not break through. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Álvaro Djaló sealed the victory, finishing a counter-attack to complete the 3-0 scoreline.
The result leaves Guinea-Bissau top of Group L with a perfect six points from two wins. Nigeria sit on three points after their earlier victory over Madagascar. Only one team from the group is expected to qualify automatically alongside co-hosts, increasing the pressure on the Super Eagles in the remaining fixtures.
This defeat highlights ongoing challenges for Nigeria under Chelle, particularly in converting possession into goals against organised, compact sides. Guinea-Bissau, by contrast, showed clinical finishing and solid defensive organisation on home soil. The Super Eagles now turn their attention to a friendly against Russia in Novgorod on 6 October before the qualifying campaign resumes.
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers News, Sports, Finance, Faiths, Education, Technology.
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