Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has vowed that Guinea-Bissau will experience similarly difficult conditions when the two nations meet again in Nigeria after the Djurtus handed the Eagles a 3-0 defeat in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash in Bissau.
Nigeria suffered their first setback of the qualifying campaign at the Estádio 24 de Setembro on Tuesday, with Franculino Djú, Mama Baldé and Álvaro Djaló all finding the net as Guinea-Bissau moved to the top of Group L with maximum points from their opening two matches.
Chelle admitted that the conditions in Bissau made the game particularly difficult for his players. He pointed to the poor playing surface and intense heat, although he also acknowledged that Guinea-Bissau were more aggressive and performed better during the encounter.
“They know their pitch, but for us it was different and very bad,” Chelle said after the match. “The weather was very hot too, but they had more intensity and we never found the solution.”
The French-Malian coach then turned his attention to the return fixture, which will be played in Nigeria. He suggested that the Eagles would ensure the visiting side encounter similarly challenging conditions when the teams meet again in Uyo.
“This is not the end. We have two games next against Tanzania. After that we have Guinea-Bissau in Uyo, and we have to put them in the same condition that we had here,” Chelle said.
The comments came after Nigeria struggled to impose themselves on a Guinea-Bissau side that looked more comfortable in the conditions from the opening whistle.
The hosts took the lead in the 15th minute when Franculino Djú worked his way through the Nigerian defence before curling the ball into the far corner. Nigeria had opportunities to respond, but goalkeeper Manuel Embadjé denied Ademola Lookman after the Atalanta forward was set up by Alex Iwobi.
Chelle attempted to change the momentum after the interval, bringing on Moses Usor and Moses Simon for Frank Onyeka and Taiwo Awoniyi. The substitutions, however, failed to produce the desired turnaround.
Guinea-Bissau doubled their advantage in the 66th minute through Baldé, who capitalised on another penetrating move to expose the Nigerian defence.
Nigeria’s task became even more difficult as the hosts continued to threaten on the counterattack. Djaló eventually completed the scoring in the fifth minute of stoppage time, giving Guinea-Bissau a convincing 3-0 victory.
The defeat left Nigeria with three points from two matches, having opened their campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo. Guinea-Bissau, meanwhile, have six points after also defeating Tanzania 2-0 in their opening fixture.
The Group L situation is further complicated by Tanzania’s status as one of the three co-hosts of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Kenya and Uganda. Tanzania are therefore guaranteed a place at the tournament, meaning Nigeria and the other non-host nations will be competing for the remaining qualifying position in the group.
Chelle remains confident that Nigeria can recover from the disappointing result. The Super Eagles will face Tanzania twice during the next qualifying window from November 9 to 17 before returning to the final two group fixtures in March 2027.
The coach’s comments also underline the importance of the return meeting with Guinea-Bissau. Nigeria will have home advantage in Uyo, where the Eagles began their campaign by defeating Madagascar.
However, Chelle’s promise of improved conditions will not by itself settle the contest. Nigeria will also need to address the performance issues exposed in Bissau, particularly their inability to match the hosts’ intensity and create enough clear opportunities.
The 3-0 defeat was Nigeria’s first loss of the qualifying campaign and provided a sharp reminder that the road to the 2027 AFCON will not be straightforward.
For Guinea-Bissau, the victory represents a major boost. They have now collected six points from two matches and established themselves as early leaders of the group.
For Nigeria, the focus now shifts to recovery. Chelle insists he remains confident in his squad, but the Eagles will need a much stronger response when the qualifying campaign resumes in November.
When Guinea-Bissau eventually arrive in Uyo, Chelle will have the opportunity to turn his words into action. More importantly, Nigeria will need to demonstrate on the pitch that the Bissau defeat was a setback rather than a sign of a deeper problem.
