Nigeria face Guinea-Bissau in key AFCON qualifying clash

Nigeria will aim to make it two wins from two in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying when they face Group L leaders Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday.

The Super Eagles recovered from conceding first to beat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo on Friday, while Guinea-Bissau began their campaign with a 2-0 away victory over Tanzania. Both sides have three points, but the Djurtus lead the group on goal difference.

Tanzania are already guaranteed a place at AFCON 2027 as one of the co-hosts, leaving Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar competing for the group’s only remaining qualification place.

Guinea-Bissau v Nigeria preview

Guinea-Bissau made an early statement in the opening round by beating Tanzania in Dar es Salaam. Franculino Dju put them ahead in the 33rd minute before Mama Balde added a second eight minutes into the second half.

Nigeria had to come from behind against Madagascar after Ehsan Kari opened the scoring after 16 minutes. George Ilenikhena equalised in first-half stoppage time and substitute Moses Usor completed the comeback with the winning goal in the 65th minute.

Victory on Tuesday would give either team six points from their first two matches and a significant advantage before the November qualifiers.

Nigeria have won three of the past four meetings between the sides, with Guinea-Bissau winning once. However, the Djurtus beat the Super Eagles 1-0 in Abuja during the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, Mama Balde scoring the only goal. Nigeria won the return match 1-0 in Bissau three days later.

All but one of the previous four encounters ended 2-0, with Nigeria’s victory in 2022 the exception. Since then, the scorelines have been 1-0, underlining the fixture’s low-scoring nature. Balde, who also scored against Tanzania, will be one of Guinea-Bissau’s main threats.

Team news

Nigeria remain without Victor Osimhen, who is unavailable for both September qualifiers because of a muscle injury. Ilenikhena made his senior international debut against Madagascar and scored, but he and Akor Adams trained separately in Uyo on Saturday and face a fitness race.

Adams started alongside Ilenikhena in the opening match, while Tolu Arokodare and Taiwo Awoniyi provide further options. Usor could also come into contention after scoring shortly after being introduced on Friday.

Maduka Okoye was on the bench against Madagascar after arriving late at camp. Stanley Nwabali started and made an important save, leaving Eric Chelle to decide whether to retain him or make a change. No official switch has been confirmed.

Guinea-Bissau will rely on Franculino Dju, Balde and Beto after their influential displays against Tanzania. Their recent competitive success against Nigeria will also give them confidence, although they must remain disciplined against a deeper Super Eagles attack.

Match details: Guinea-Bissau v Nigeria, 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Group L; Tuesday, September 29, 2026; Estadio 24 de Setembro, Bissau; capacity 15,000; kick-off 4:00pm GMT / 5:00pm Nigerian time.

Possible line-ups: Guinea-Bissau: Embadje; Encada, Sangante, Rofino, Simao; Dalcio, Dju, Semedo; Mama Balde, Renato Nhaga, Beto. Nigeria: Stanley Nwabali; Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi; Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi; Moses Usor, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon; George Ilenikhena.

The line-ups remain subject to Chelle’s tactical decision, with the coach indicating Nigeria could change their system because Guinea-Bissau pose different problems from Madagascar.

Nigeria are expected to face a tougher test but have greater depth and individual quality. Despite the uncertainty over Ilenikhena and Adams, the Super Eagles are predicted to win 2-1.