AFCON qualifier: Can Super Eagles survive in Guinea-Bissau?

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will attempt to take over group L as they face Guinea-Bissau today in a matchday two fixture of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying series.

The game, which is billed to kick off at 5 pm Nigeria time at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro in Bissau, will be officiated by Ethiopian referee Tewodros Mitiku.

Already, Guinea-Bissau are leading the group on superior goals advantage following their 2-0 victory over Tanzania at the Amaan Stadium, Zanzibar.

Franculino Djú put Djurtus ahead in the 33rd minute before Mama Baldé doubled the advantage in the 58th minute.

Nigeria also followed with three points after their 2-1 victory last Friday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

Nigeria had to come from behind against the Barea, with debutant George Ilenikhena cancelling Ehsan Kari’s 16th-minute opener before the break, while another debutant, Moses Usor, scored the winner in the 65th minute.

Unarguably, coach Eric Chelle and his men are already aware of the stuff the Djurtus are made of ahead of today’s clash, as their victory over Tanzania right in Zanzibar was enough of a warning signal to any opponents.

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Chelle, while speaking after the fall of Madagascar, declared that the Super Eagles will approach today’s game differently.

“No, we have to analyse the game against Madagascar, see what we did, and then look ahead to our second game in Guinea-Bissau.

“They are a different team; they have their strengths and weaknesses. I have to think about what we will do in Guinea-Bissau. I can’t reveal what system we will use. We have to prepare our minds for the game,” the Malian tactician told reporters in Uyo.

Meanwhile, Moses Usor’s sensational debut has thrown another name into Chelle’s attacking calculations.

The LASK winger came off the bench against Madagascar and scored four minutes after his introduction, completing a comeback that had begun with George Ilenikhena’s stoppage-time equaliser in the first half.

Ilenikhena, meanwhile, has a strong case to lead the attack again after becoming Nigeria’s first goalscorer against Madagascar.

With Victor Osimhen unavailable because of injury, Chelle also has Taiwo Awoniyi, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare competing for playing minutes.