Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has admitted that Guinea-Bissau were the better side after Nigeria suffered a 3-0 defeat in their second 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match in Bissau on Tuesday.
The hosts dominated for long periods at the Estádio 24 de Setembro, with Franculino Djú opening the scoring in the 15th minute after weaving through Nigeria’s defence before curling the ball into the far corner.
Nigeria struggled to respond before half-time, prompting Chelle to introduce Moses Usor and Moses Simon for Frank Onyeka and Taiwo Awoniyi. However, the changes failed to turn the game around.
Mama Baldé doubled Guinea-Bissau’s lead in the 66th minute following another penetrating run that exposed the Nigerian defence, while Álvaro Djaló completed the scoring in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
“They were more aggressive than us and I think they were better than us,” Chelle said after the match.
The coach also blamed the difficult playing conditions, including the pitch and intense heat, for making the encounter tougher for Nigeria.
“They know their pitch but for us it was different and very bad. The weather was very hot too, but they had more intensity and we never found the solution,” he added.
Despite the heavy defeat, Chelle expressed confidence that the Super Eagles can recover in their next two qualifiers against Tanzania.
“We have two games next against Tanzania, and I’m very confident about my team, but today was not good. It’s the first time that I have seen my team like that. We have to go forward,” he said.
The result leaves Guinea-Bissau top of Group L with six points, while Nigeria have three points from two matches. Guinea-Bissau had earlier beaten Tanzania 2-0, while Nigeria defeated Madagascar 2-1.
With co-hosts Tanzania already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar are competing for the remaining qualifying spot. Nigeria will face Tanzania in a double-header in November.
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