Guinea-Bissau Beat Nigeria 3–0 to Boost AFCON 2027 Qualification Hopes

Guinea-Bissau defeated Nigeria 3–0 in Bissau on Tuesday to move to the top of Group L in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and hand Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle his first defeat in charge of the team.

Franculino Djú opened the scoring in the 15th minute, curling a left-footed effort into the far corner beyond Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

Nigeria struggled to find an equaliser before the break, with Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper Fernando Embadjé making a key save to deny Ademola Lookman after the Nigerian forward was set up by Alex Iwobi.

Chelle made changes as Nigeria searched for a way back into the match, but Guinea-Bissau doubled their advantage in the 66th minute.

Mama Baldé received the ball from Mamadi Camará before firing a low effort into the net to make it 2–0.

Nigeria came close to reducing the deficit late in the match when George Ilenikhena was denied by Embadjé, who produced another important save.

Guinea-Bissau then completed the victory in stoppage time. Álvaro Djaló scored in the fifth minute of added time after being played through by Tamble Monteiro.

The result leaves Guinea-Bissau on six points from two matches after their opening 2–0 victory over Tanzania. Nigeria remain on three points following their 2–1 comeback win over Madagascar in their opening fixture.

The defeat increases the pressure on Nigeria in a Group L campaign in which there is only one qualification place available to the non-host nations.

Tanzania are already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON finals as one of the tournament's co-hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda. Consequently, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar are competing for the single remaining qualification spot in Group L.

Nigeria will therefore need a strong response in their remaining four matches to keep their qualification hopes alive.

The next two Group L matchdays are scheduled for November, with the final two rounds taking place in March 2027.