The Super Eagles have arrived in Bissau with their attention firmly on another three points as they prepare to face Guinea-Bissau in their second Group L match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Tuesday.
Nigeria began the campaign on a winning note, fighting back from a goal down to beat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo on Friday. Now, the three-time African champions will hope to carry that momentum into their first away game of the qualifying series.
It was not a straightforward start for Eric Chelle’s men. Madagascar took the lead through Ehsan Kari in the 16th minute, but George Ilenikhena restored parity in first-half stoppage time before Moses Usor completed the comeback in the 65th minute.
Both goals came from players making their Super Eagles debuts, giving Nigeria plenty to take from the opening game.
The challenge, however, becomes different in Bissau.
Guinea-Bissau also started with a win, beating co-hosts Tanzania 2-0 away from home through goals from Franculino Djú and Mama Baldé. The result puts the Djurtus ahead of Nigeria on goal difference after the opening round of matches.
That makes Tuesday’s encounter an early battle between the two teams with winning starts.
For the Super Eagles, the message is simple: build on the Uyo victory and return home with another positive result.
The importance of the fixture is heightened by the structure of Group L. Tanzania, as one of the three hosts of the 2027 tournament alongside Kenya and Uganda, already have their place at the finals. Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar are therefore effectively competing for the qualifying place available to the highest-placed non-host team in the group.
Chelle will also have to manage his squad carefully after the short turnaround between the two matches. The team travelled to Bissau on Sunday, leaving little time for recovery and detailed preparation.
There will be particular interest in the attacking department after Ilenikhena and Usor announced themselves with goals on their international debuts. With Victor Osimhen unavailable for the opening two qualifiers because of injury, the emergence of other attacking options has added another dimension to Chelle’s selection decisions.
Nigeria will also be looking for another composed performance from goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and the defence, especially against a Guinea-Bissau side that has already shown it can pick up a result on the road.
The Super Eagles have made the start they wanted. The task now is to keep the momentum going.
A second win in Bissau would give Nigeria six points from two matches and further strengthen their position in the early race for the sole qualifying spot from Group L.
