Guinea-Bissau Humble Super Eagles 3-0, Leave Nigeria’s AFCON Hopes Hanging
Nigeria’s Super Eagles suffered a damaging 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday night, with the Djurtus producing a clinical display to claim all three points in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying race.
Franculino Dju opened the scoring after 15 minutes before Mama Balde doubled Guinea-Bissau’s advantage in the second half.
Alvaro Djalo then put the result beyond doubt deep into stoppage time, completing a miserable night for Eric Chelle’s men.
The Super Eagles struggled to create clear-cut chances for much of the opening period and were punished when Dju fired Guinea-Bissau ahead.
Nigeria attempted to respond after the interval, but their finishing let them down.
Moses Usor came close in the 50th minute after controlling a cross inside the box, only to see his weak effort comfortably saved by the goalkeeper.
Four minutes later, Moses Simon also missed a golden opportunity to level the scores. The winger connected with a headed pass inside the box but could only produce a tame effort that was gathered by the keeper.
Guinea-Bissau almost extended their lead in the 57th minute, but Stanley Nwabali reacted sharply to palm away a goal-bound effort.
The home side eventually got their second in the 66th minute when Balde brilliantly beat Bright Osayi-Samuel before calmly slotting the ball beyond Nwabali.
Chelle introduced Tolu Arokodare and George Ilenikhena as Nigeria searched desperately for a way back into the contest.
Arokodare had an opportunity in the 71st minute but dragged his effort across goal.
Nigeria won a free-kick on the edge of the box with 13 minutes remaining, but the resulting effort struck the wall, with the rebound subsequently fired wide.
Ilenikhena then came agonisingly close in the 86th minute after connecting with Bruno Onyemaechi’s clever lofted pass. However, the substitute could only fire straight at the goalkeeper.
With Nigeria pushing forward in search of a consolation goal, Guinea-Bissau delivered the final blow.
Djalo surged towards the Super Eagles penalty area, beat his markers and calmly guided the ball into the bottom corner in the third minute of stoppage time to seal a comprehensive 3-0 victory.
The defeat leaves Nigeria with plenty of work to do in their remaining qualifying matches as Guinea-Bissau strengthened their position at the top of the group.
Franculino Dju opened the scoring after 15 minutes before Mama Balde doubled Guinea-Bissau’s advantage in the second half.
Alvaro Djalo then put the result beyond doubt deep into stoppage time, completing a miserable night for Eric Chelle’s men.
The Super Eagles struggled to create clear-cut chances for much of the opening period and were punished when Dju fired Guinea-Bissau ahead.
Nigeria attempted to respond after the interval, but their finishing let them down.
Moses Usor came close in the 50th minute after controlling a cross inside the box, only to see his weak effort comfortably saved by the goalkeeper.
Four minutes later, Moses Simon also missed a golden opportunity to level the scores. The winger connected with a headed pass inside the box but could only produce a tame effort that was gathered by the keeper.
Guinea-Bissau almost extended their lead in the 57th minute, but Stanley Nwabali reacted sharply to palm away a goal-bound effort.
The home side eventually got their second in the 66th minute when Balde brilliantly beat Bright Osayi-Samuel before calmly slotting the ball beyond Nwabali.
Chelle introduced Tolu Arokodare and George Ilenikhena as Nigeria searched desperately for a way back into the contest.
Arokodare had an opportunity in the 71st minute but dragged his effort across goal.
Nigeria won a free-kick on the edge of the box with 13 minutes remaining, but the resulting effort struck the wall, with the rebound subsequently fired wide.
Ilenikhena then came agonisingly close in the 86th minute after connecting with Bruno Onyemaechi’s clever lofted pass. However, the substitute could only fire straight at the goalkeeper.
With Nigeria pushing forward in search of a consolation goal, Guinea-Bissau delivered the final blow.
Djalo surged towards the Super Eagles penalty area, beat his markers and calmly guided the ball into the bottom corner in the third minute of stoppage time to seal a comprehensive 3-0 victory.
The defeat leaves Nigeria with plenty of work to do in their remaining qualifying matches as Guinea-Bissau strengthened their position at the top of the group.
