Guinea-Bissau moved to the top of Group L in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, after defeating the Super Eagles of Nigeria 3-0 in Bissau, maintaining their perfect start to the campaign.
The Djurtus (Wild Dogs) started the game with remarkable intensity, sense of purpose and ambition, and pierced open the Super Eagles defence in the 10th minute, but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali read the move well and nipped it before any damage could be done.
Five minutes later, the hosts were one goal up when the ever-vibrant Franciluno Dju cut inside of Bruno Onyemaechi and shot past Nwabali from the right wing. 1-0!
Dju was again looking for blood in the 42nd minute when he waltzed his way into the Nigeria box, but shot over the sticks with only Nwabali to beat.
Coach Éric Chelle brought in Moses Simon and Moses Usor at the beginning of the second half, and Nigeria’s game livened up somewhat.
In the 56th minute, Nwabali parried away a vicious close-range shot by Dju, but nine minutes later, Mama Baldé was at the end of another excellent work by the Djurtus.
He carved open the Nigerian defence, placing the ball beyond the reach of Nwabali for the hosts’ second of the evening.
Five minutes into added time, with the Eagles throwing men forward in search of a consolation goal, Alvario Djalo added a third with a classic finish.
The defeat means Nigeria remain in second place in Group L, three points behind Guinea-Bissau, with only one team to qualify from the group.
Next up for the Super Eagles is a home encounter against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in Uyo on 13th November, before they fly to Dar es Salaam for their Day 4 encounter against the same team on 17th November.
The Super Eagles now face a tougher path after surrendering the early advantage gained from their opening victory over Madagascar. Nigeria’s next results will be crucial as the qualifying campaign resumes in November, before the final two match days in March 2027.
Meanwhile, Tanzania are already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON finals as one of the three co-hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda. Consequently, only the highest-ranked non-host nation in Group L will qualify.
That makes Guinea-Bissau’s six-point haul particularly significant. Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau are effectively competing for the group’s single qualifying place.
Group L is now firmly in Guinea-Bissau’s hands, with Nigeria needing a strong response in the remaining fixtures to reclaim the initiative in the race for the lone qualifying ticket.
