2023 AFCONQ: Guinea Bissau stun Nigeria in Abuja to go top of Group A

By Wale Mustapha

Guinea Bissau recorded an historic 1-0 over Nigeria in the 2023 TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations qualifier match at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Friday.

 Cruising from two consecutive wins over Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe, the Super Eagles capitulated for the first time against the Wild Dogs  no thanks to Mama Balde’s first half strike.

Both sides went into the encounter with the aim to improve on their qualifying campaign at the top of the Group A as Nigeria started on a bright note forcing their visitors deep to their half but were undone with some faulty passes that met top man Victor Osimhen in offside positions.

The stunning moment of the match came in the 29th minute when a through pass from midfield caught Super Eagles’ defense napping that allowed Balde ghosted into vantage position before slicing the ball between the spreading legs of Francis Uzoho.

Nigeria pushed for an instant response but left to rue their subsequent chances against with similar situations heading back into the tunnel with nothing to show for it.

At the break, head coach Jose Peseiro threw Paul Onuachu and Moses Simon into the attack and it almost paid off as the hosts saw a number of chances, first was Samuel Chukwueze who missed from edge of the box after taking two markers with his trademark dribbling.

Onuachu also had his moment with less than 15 minutes to see out the game when his header was blocked to corner by Bissau defender.

The best man of the night for Nigeria, Bright Osayi-Samuel combined well with Chukwueze in another attack for Nigeria, but Villarreal man fired over the cross bar.

Another scoring opportunity fell in the path of Onuachu who leaped higher to meet Simon’s cross but went wide.

Zaidu Sanusi busted forward for Super Eagles and delivered a curling cross which could have been well dealt with by Osimhen and Onuachu but the Djurtus held on to claim their first ever win over Nigeria, and also shoot them to the top of the group.

The Super Eagles will be heading to the return fixture in Bissau on Monday with the hope of turning the result to their favour and reclaiming the top spot again at the expense of the Guineans.