Guinea-Bissau vs Super Eagles: 7 interesting facts Nigeria fans must know

The Super Eagles return to Bissau on Tuesday ready to tackle Guinea-Bissau in a matchday two clash of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Soccernet.ng reports.

Both Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau opened their AFCON 2027 campaigns with victories, the Super Eagles earned a tough 2-1 win over Madagascar while the Wild Dogs strolled to a 2-0 win away to Tanzania.

A win here for either team will change the outlook of Group L and set the victor as the early favourites to join Tanzania at the continental championships next year.

Super Eagles

Super Eagles vs Madagascar: TV channel, livestream and how to watch AFCON 2027 qualifier – Soccernet NG

Read →

Guinea-Bissau vs Super Eagles match facts

Guinea-Bissau actually lead Nigeria

The Djurtus sit above Nigeria on goal difference after Matchday One. Guinea-Bissau beat Tanzania 2-0 in Zanzibar, with Franculino Djú scoring in the 33rd minute before Mama Baldé added the second in the 58th.

That touch to control the ball 😳

🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau’s Mame Baldé stun Nigeria 💥#TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2023 pic.twitter.com/WDFkn7GQTu

— CAF (@CAF_Online) April 11, 2023

Nigeria needed a comeback to defeat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo. George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor were the goalscorers for the Super Eagles on that day.

Nigeria have never drawn with the Djurtus

The nations have met four times at senior level, with Nigeria winning three and Guinea-Bissau claiming one victory. The Super Eagles have scored four goals across those encounters, while the Djurtus have managed one.

Baldé has already broken Nigerian hearts

Mama Baldé is not an unfamiliar name to Super Eagles fans. The Brest forward scored the only goal when Guinea-Bissau shocked Nigeria 1-0 in Abuja on March 24, 2023, beating Francis Uzoho in the 29th minute after expertly collecting Opa Sanganté's long pass.

He is one goal from history

Baldé arrives with eight international goals and needs one more to draw level with Nando Có as Guinea-Bissau's all-time leading scorer. The former Lyon striker's goal against Tanzania also extended his scoring run for the Djurtus across four consecutive calendar years.

📹 HIGHLIGHTS: 🇬🇼 0-1 🇳🇬

Moses Simon’s spot kick put Nigeria pack on track after beating Guinea-Bissau 🦅 #TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2023 pic.twitter.com/5goc6e9lQQ

— CAF (@CAF_Online) March 29, 2023

Simon is Nigeria's last goalscorer against them, Sadiq the first

Simon converted a 30th-minute penalty in Bissau on March 27, 2023, three days after the Abuja defeat. Nigeria's subsequent 1-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau at the 2024 AFCON was settled by an own goal from Opa Sanganté in the 36th minute.

Nigeria's first-ever goalscorer against the Djurtus was Umar Sadiq, who found the net in the 56th minute of the Super Eagles' 2-0 win at the 2021 AFCON inside the Stade Omnisport Roumdé Adjia in Garoua. Captain William Troost-Ekong scored Nigeria's second goal in that group stage clash.

Osimhen is out, while two other strikers face doubts

Victor Osimhen was ruled out with a right-thigh muscle injury, while George Ilenikhena and Akor Adams missed Sunday's training session. Both had started against Madagascar, with Adams playing just over an hour and Ilenikhena 69 minutes.

Head coach Eric Chelle could unleash the duo of Taiwo Awoniyi and Tolu Arokodare, should Ilenikhena and Adams fail to pass their final fitness test.

Kick-off is 5pm in Nigeria

The match takes place at Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro in Bissau at 4pm local time, which is 5pm in Nigeria. Ethiopian referee Tewodros Mitiku has been appointed to handle the Group L clash.

Nigeria therefore arrive with history on their side, but Guinea-Bissau have the scoreboard advantage, a dangerous striker chasing national history and home support behind them. The stakes are compressed into 90 minutes.