Guinea-Bissau head coach Emiliano Té has urged his players to remain focused despite their impressive 3-0 victory over Nigeria in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The Djurtus produced one of their most convincing performances in recent years on Tuesday, defeating the Super Eagles at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro in Bissau to secure their second consecutive Group L victory.
Franculino Djú opened the scoring in the 15th minute before Mama Baldé doubled Guinea-Bissau’s advantage in the second half. Álvaro Djaló then completed the victory in stoppage time as Nigeria suffered their first defeat of the qualifying campaign.
Despite the emphatic result, Té was careful not to allow his players to become carried away by the victory.
The Guinea-Bissau coach stressed that the three points represented another step in a long qualification campaign rather than confirmation that his team had already secured a place at the continental tournament.
“It is a journey to reach the Africa Cup of Nations,” Té said after the match, adding that the victory demonstrated that his team was progressing and would continue to develop in the coming matches.
Guinea-Bissau had already made a strong start to their campaign before facing Nigeria, defeating Tanzania 2-0 away from home in their opening Group L fixture.
The victory over Nigeria therefore took the Djurtus to six points from their first two matches and placed them in a strong position in the group.
However, the qualification picture requires some context because Tanzania are one of the co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON and already have an automatic place at the tournament.
That leaves Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar competing for the remaining qualifying place in Group L.
Té believes maintaining tactical discipline will be important as the campaign progresses.
The coach said every match would present a different challenge and called on his players to continue creating scoring opportunities while maintaining belief regardless of the opposition.
“Every game has its own story,” he said, stressing the importance of tactical football and continued improvement.
His comments reflected a desire to keep the squad grounded after a result that attracted considerable attention across African football.
Against Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau demonstrated their ability to take advantage of opportunities while keeping the Super Eagles from establishing sustained control of the match.
Djú provided the breakthrough after 15 minutes, working his way through the Nigerian defence before curling a left-footed effort into the far corner.
Nigeria had opportunities to respond before the interval. Alex Iwobi created an opening for Ademola Lookman, but Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper Djoco Embadjé produced an important save to preserve the hosts’ advantage.
The Super Eagles made changes after the break as coach Eric Chelle attempted to alter the direction of the contest.
Moses Usor and Moses Simon were introduced for Frank Onyeka and Taiwo Awoniyi, but the changes did not produce the desired response.
Instead, Guinea-Bissau extended their lead in the 65th minute.
Mama Baldé received the ball from Mamadi Camará on the left before sending a low effort into the Nigerian net, leaving the Super Eagles with a difficult task in the final stages.
Nigeria continued to search for a way back into the game and introduced George Ilenikhena and Raphael Onyedika in the 75th minute.
Ilenikhena came close to reducing the deficit later in the match, but Embadjé again stood firm to deny the Nigerian forward.
The hosts then put the result beyond doubt in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Álvaro Djaló received a through ball from Tamble Monteiro before finishing with his right foot to make it 3-0 and complete a memorable night for the home supporters.
For Nigeria, the defeat represents a significant setback after beginning the qualifying campaign with a 2-1 victory over Madagascar in Uyo.
Chelle admitted after the match that Guinea-Bissau were more aggressive and showed greater intensity and personality.
The Nigerian coach also pointed to the difficult pitch and weather conditions but stressed that they should not be used as an excuse for the defeat.
Nigeria will now have to regroup before their next qualifying fixtures against Tanzania in November.
Chelle has already urged his players to remain calm, insisting that there is still plenty of football to be played in the group.
For Guinea-Bissau, the immediate task is equally clear.
The two victories have given the Djurtus valuable momentum, but Té knows that maintaining that standard over the remaining fixtures will be more important than celebrating one impressive result.
The coach’s message to his players is therefore straightforward: the victory over Nigeria should provide confidence, not complacency.
With six points already secured, Guinea-Bissau have given themselves a strong foundation in Group L. But as Té emphasised after the final whistle, qualification remains a journey, and the Djurtus still have work to do before they can celebrate a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
