AFCON Qualifiers: Super Eagles seek to extend dominance over Guinea-Bissau

The Super Eagles will aim to extend their winning record against Guinea-Bissau when both sides meet in a crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Bissau on Tuesday.

Nigeria have won three of their four previous official senior international encounters with the Wild Dogs, who will host the Group L leaders at the 24 September Stadium.

The match, scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. Nigerian time, is a top-of-the-table clash, with both teams having secured victories in their opening fixtures.

Nigeria defeated Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo on Friday, while Guinea-Bissau began their campaign with a 2-0 win over Tanzania.

The Super Eagles arrived in Bissau on Sunday evening aboard a chartered ValueJet aircraft, with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) urging the players to maintain their concentration against an opponent it considers a serious threat.

Nigeria’s head-to-head advantage

Nigeria’s record against Guinea-Bissau stretches back to their meeting at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon, where the Super Eagles secured a 2-0 victory in a Group D encounter at the Roumdé Adjia Stadium in Garoua on 19 January 2022.

Sadiq Umar and William Troost-Ekong scored second-half goals to give Nigeria all three points.

However, Guinea-Bissau demonstrated their ability to upset the former African champions when they secured a 1-0 victory at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on 24 March 2023, during the qualifiers for the 2023 AFCON.

The Super Eagles responded four days later in Bissau, winning by the same margin through a Moses Simon penalty.

Nigeria also defeated the Wild Dogs 1-0 at the 2023 AFCON finals in Côte d’Ivoire, with the encounter played at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.

The results leave Nigeria with three wins and one defeat in four official meetings, a record the team will seek to improve on Tuesday.

Ikpeme warns against complacency

Acting NFF General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme has cautioned the Super Eagles against underestimating their hosts, insisting that the team must maintain its focus throughout the encounter.

“We were here for a similar AFCON qualifying match three years ago, and we won by a lone goal. Victory is crucial on Tuesday, and I believe you will give your all for the three points as you did three years ago, and as you did on Friday against Madagascar in Uyo.

“Our focus and concentration must be one hundred percent for the entire 90 minutes, because Guinea Bissau is a very strong team in every way you look at it. We played them at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon and we needed all our strength and diligence to win. The team is not one that we can take for granted,” Mr Ikpeme said.

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His warning reflects the competitive nature of the fixture, particularly with Guinea-Bissau playing at home and seeking to consolidate their position in the group.

Chelle faces another tactical test

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle will be expected to find another tactical solution against a Guinea-Bissau side that began its campaign with a convincing victory.

After Friday’s win over Madagascar, the coach acknowledged that his team had struggled to break down their opponents’ compact defence before changing from a diamond formation to a 4-2-3-1 system.

Chelle has also warned that Tuesday’s opponents have different strengths and weaknesses, making it necessary for Nigeria to analyse the previous match and adjust accordingly.

The Super Eagles will be without Victor Osimhen for the opening qualifiers after the striker was ruled out with a muscle injury. Taiwo Awoniyi was called up as his replacement.

Nigeria’s immediate objective is to secure a second consecutive victory and strengthen their position in Group L as they pursue qualification for the 2027 AFCON, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.