Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has admitted that Guinea-Bissau were the better side after Nigeria suffered a 3-0 defeat in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Tuesday.
The defeat came three days after Nigeria fought back to beat Madagascar 2-1 in their opening fixture. Chelle’s side struggled to impose themselves against the Djurtus.
Nigeria fell behind in the first half when Franculino Djú found the net.
Guinea-Bissau continued to dominate after the break. Mama Baldé doubled their advantage before Álvaro Djaló completed the scoring in stoppage time.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Chelle acknowledged that the hosts had outperformed his team. He also pointed to the poor playing surface and hot weather as factors that affected the Super Eagles.
“They were more aggressive than us; they were better than us,” Chelle said. “Though this is not an excuse, they know their pitch. They usually play on this pitch, but for us, it was the first time, and the pitch was very bad. The weather was very hot too.”
He said Guinea-Bissau entered the game more motivated.
“So, Guinea-Bissau entered the game more motivated and more aggressive. They put more intensity, and we never found a solution,” he said. He admitted his side lost momentum after a promising start to the second half. “We tried to go forward after halftime, to bring something new, but after 10 minutes, we stopped, and I don’t know why,” Chelle said.
What’s Next For the Eagles
Following the heavy 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in Bissau, the Super Eagles will turn their attention to an upcoming international test and crucial AFCON qualifying matchdays.
Immediate Next Match: International Friendly
- Match: 🇷🇺 Russia vs 🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2026
- Time: 5:00 PM WAT
- Type: International Friendly
2027 AFCON Qualification Path (Group L)
After opening their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Madagascar and subsequently falling to Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria sits on 3 points in Group L.
The Eagles return to competitive action in November for a double-header against Tanzania:
| Date | Match | Competition |
| Wed, Nov 11, 2026 | 🇳🇬 Nigeria vs 🇹🇿 Tanzania | AFCON 2027 Qualifier (Matchday 3) |
| Sun, Nov 15, 2026 | 🇹🇿 Tanzania vs 🇳🇬 Nigeria | AFCON 2027 Qualifier (Matchday 4) |
