Chelle blames weather, pitch and poor aggression for Nigeria’s 3-0 defeat

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has blamed adverse weather, a poor playing surface and a lack of aggression for Nigeria’s heavy 3-0 defeat by Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday.

The three-time African champions were beaten by the Djurtus at the Estadio 24 de Setembro, despite entering the match as favourites. Franculino Dju, Mama Balde and Alvaro Djalo scored as Guinea-Bissau secured a convincing victory.

Chelle described Nigeria’s performance as “not very good” after the match and identified the three factors he believed contributed to the result.

The defeat has left the Super Eagles in a difficult position in their bid to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria are second in the group, three points behind Guinea-Bissau, but have a significantly worse goal difference.

Only one team will qualify automatically from the group, increasing the pressure on Chelle’s side after a result that has drawn strong criticism. Nigeria were beaten by a team ranked 106 places below them in the FIFA rankings.

Nigeria face difficult qualification task

The Super Eagles remain in control of their own qualification prospects, but must win all their remaining matches and improve their results significantly.

The return fixture against Guinea-Bissau will be particularly important. CAF uses head-to-head records to separate teams level on points, ahead of overall goal difference.

That means Nigeria must beat Guinea-Bissau by more than three goals in the reverse fixture if they are to gain the head-to-head advantage after Tuesday’s 3-0 loss.

The qualifiers resume in November, when Nigeria will face Tanzania in a decisive double-header. The final round of group matches will take place in 2027.

Chelle will now need to respond quickly to the setback and will hope striker Victor Osimhen is fully fit for the matches that could determine Nigeria’s qualification campaign.