Guinea Bissau produced a superb performance to beat Nigeria 3-0 in Bissau on Tuesday and take control of Group L in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The hosts impressed at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro, punishing Nigeria’s mistakes to secure a convincing victory on Match Day 2.
Eric Chelle made three changes to the Super Eagles side that defeated Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo.
Bright Osayi Samuel replaced Ola Aina in defence, while Frank Onyeka came into midfield for Samuel Chukwueze. Taiwo Awoniyi also started in place of the injured George Ilenikhena.
Both teams spent the opening 10 minutes testing each other. Nigeria created a few half chances but could not find a clear opening.
Guinea Bissau broke the deadlock in the 15th minute. Rhenato Nhaga sent a long pass towards the right, where Franculino Djú collected the ball.
Djú cut inside with Bruno Onyemaechi close to him before firing a low left footed effort. Stanley Nwabali remained rooted to the spot as the ball found the net.
Nigeria almost levelled in the 28th minute. Onyeka received the ball inside the box, but his effort struck the side netting.
The referee stopped play for a cooling break in the 30th minute as the players took a brief pause.
Guinea Bissau continued to threaten after the restart. Nhaga won possession in the 37th minute and drove through the middle before sending his shot over the bar.
Beto then came close in the 42nd minute after taking advantage of loose defending from Semi Ajayi. The striker won the ball inside Nigeria’s box, but Nwabali saved his weak effort.
Two minutes later, Nhaga combined with Djú again. Djú cut inside from the left and struck towards goal, but his effort sailed over the bar.
Nigeria nearly equalised in first half added time. Ademola Lookman’s corner caused problems for goalkeeper Fernando Embadje, who spilled the ball. Nigeria won the second ball and sent another effort towards goal, but a Guinea Bissau defender cleared before it crossed the line.
The Super Eagles went into the break with 57.1% possession. They recorded three shots, with one on target, while Guinea Bissau had 42.9% possession, four shots and two on target.
Guinea Bissau Punish Nigeria After the Break
Chelle made two changes at the start of the second half. Moses Simon replaced Awoniyi, while Moses Usor came on for Onyeka.
Guinea Bissau missed a big chance in the 60th minute. Djú won the ball in the Nigerian half before playing a pass into the box. Nigeria failed to clear the danger convincingly, allowing the ball to fall to Beto. However, he fired wide when he should have scored.
The hosts doubled their lead six minutes later. A line breaking pass found Mama Baldé, who played the ball to Mamadi Camará.
Camará then dribbled past the Nigerian defenders before calmly slotting the ball beyond Nwabali to make it 2-0.
Chelle responded by introducing Tolu Arokodare for Lookman in the 68th minute. He made another change eight minutes later when Raphael Onyedika replaced captain Wilfred Ndidi.
Nigeria won a free kick in the 77th minute as they searched for a way back into the game. Simon stepped up, but his effort hit the defensive wall.
The Super Eagles had another good chance in the 86th minute. Onyemaechi sent a long pass into the box for substitute Ilenikhena, but the forward could not beat Embadje from close range.
Guinea Bissau completed the scoring in added time. The hosts launched a quick counter attack before Tamble Monteiro found Álvaro Djaló in space.
Djaló attacked the space in front of him, deceived his markers and fired a low right footed shot into the bottom corner beyond Nwabali.
Guinea Bissau finished the match with 44.7% possession and 12 shots, including seven on target. Nigeria had 55.3% possession, 12 shots and five on target.
The result changes the Group L picture after two matches. Guinea Bissau now lead the group with six points, five goals scored and none conceded.
Nigeria remain second with three points after their opening win over Madagascar
Before Tuesday’s meeting, Nigeria and Guinea Bissau had faced each other four times at senior international level.
Nigeria had won three of those matches, while Guinea Bissau had one victory. The teams had never drawn.
Their previous meetings were:
• 19 January 2022, AFCON Group D: Guinea Bissau 0-2 Nigeria
• 24 March 2023, AFCON qualifiers: Nigeria 0-1 Guinea Bissau
• 27 March 2023, AFCON qualifiers: Guinea Bissau 0-1 Nigeria
• 22 January 2024, AFCON Group A: Guinea Bissau 0-1 Nigeria
Guinea Bissau’s latest victory therefore marks their second win over Nigeria in five senior meetings. More importantly, it puts them firmly at the top of Group L after two rounds of qualifying.guin
