Guinea-Bissau 3-0 Super Eagles: Shock Defeat Puts Eric Chelle Under Pressure in AFCON 2027 Qualifying Race
The Super Eagles of Nigeria suffered a shock 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifier on Tuesday, a result reported as coach Eric Chelle’s first defeat since taking charge. The Guinea-Bissau Super Eagles clash at the Estádio 24 de Setembro in Bissau leaves Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the tournament under real strain.
The hosts struck first in the 15th minute. Franculino Dju found space on the edge of the box and curled a left-footed shot into the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali rooted to the spot. Nigeria tried to reply before the break. Alex Iwobi set up Ademola Lookman, but Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper Djoco Embadje made a key save, and the Djurtus went in ahead at half-time.
Chelle had rung changes from the side that beat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo. Taiwo Awoniyi started up front ahead of debut scorer George Ilenikhena, Frank Onyeka came into midfield, and Bright Osayi-Samuel was preferred to Ola Aina at right back. At the interval the coach brought on Moses Simon and Moses Usor for Awoniyi and Onyeka, but the changes did little to lift the team.
Guinea-Bissau doubled their lead in the 66th minute. Mama Baldé beat Osayi-Samuel, cut into the area and finished low past Nwabali into the bottom corner. Chelle made another change two minutes later, sending on Tolu Arokodare for Lookman, yet Nigeria continued to struggle to produce clear chances. Embadje also denied Ilenikhena from close range in the 87th minute. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, substitute Álvaro Djaló finished a counter-attack to complete the win.
The result is a painful one for Nigerian football. It is only the second time Guinea-Bissau have beaten the Super Eagles in AFCON qualifying, after their 1-0 win in Abuja in 2023. It also follows a week in which Chelle complained of short preparation time and fitness worries in his squad.
The group table now looks difficult for Nigeria. Guinea-Bissau lead Group L with six points from two games, having beaten Tanzania 2-0 away. Nigeria are second on three points with a goal difference of minus two, and Madagascar have one point. Tanzania, as co-hosts, have already secured a place at the finals, so Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar are competing for the one remaining qualification spot.
Reaction from supporters was angry. Many described the defeat online as embarrassing and a national disaster, and some pointed to the gap between the teams’ world rankings as proof that the result was unacceptable. Such reactions come from fans on social media and reflect emotion rather than analysis, but they show the pressure on Chelle and his players.
The Super Eagles have little time to reflect. They play an international friendly against Russia on October 6 in Nizhny Novgorod, which gives Chelle another chance to assess his squad before the qualifiers resume in November. To stay in contention, Nigeria will need to win their remaining matches and hope Guinea-Bissau drop points.
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