Super Eagles news: Nigeria’s Guinea-Bissau defeat ends 36-year African record

Nigeria Super Eagles' 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau has dragged the three-time African champions into the dark side of football history, Soccernet.ng reports.

Tuesday's collapse in Bissau is the Super Eagles‘ first loss in a competitive match to an African opponent by three clear goals since Algeria's 5-1 demolition at the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations.

The defeat also stands as Nigeria's heaviest in AFCON qualifying history. The Super Eagles had suffered painful qualifying setbacks before, including the 3-2 home defeat by Congo in 2014 that contributed to their failure to reach the 2015 tournament, but never by three goals.

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The 1990 Algeria defeat came on March 2 in Algiers, with Rabah Madjer scoring twice, Djamel Menad adding a brace and Djamel Amani completing the rout. Jay-Jay Okocha's 82nd-minute goal was Nigeria's only response.

The Bissau result also ended Eric Chelle's unbeaten competitive start in regulation time as Nigeria coach and handed Guinea-Bissau a second successive victory in Group L. The Djurtus had opened their campaign by beating Tanzania 2-0, while Nigeria had fought back to defeat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo.

Super Eagles: How Guinea-Bissau dismantled Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau struck after only 15 minutes at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro. Renato Nhaga picked out Franculino Djú, who cut inside before curling a left-footed shot into the bottom corner beyond Stanley Nwabali.

Nigeria almost answered immediately when Alex Iwobi released Ademola Lookman, but goalkeeper Fernando Embadjé saved the forward's effort in the 14th minute. Frank Onyeka later hit the side-netting as Nigeria struggled to turn possession into a genuine threat.

Chelle sent on Moses Usor and Moses Simon at half-time, yet Guinea-Bissau doubled their lead in the 66th minute. Mama Baldé received Mamadi Camará's pass before beating Bright Osayi-Samuel and driving a low finish beyond Nwabali.

George Ilenikhena and Raphael Onyedika entered in the 75th minute, but Ilenikhena's 85th-minute effort was saved by Embadjé. Álvaro Djaló then finished a quick counter-attack in the fifth minute of stoppage time to complete the Djurtus' biggest-ever victory over Nigeria.

Guinea-Bissau now have six points from two matches at the top of Group L, while Nigeria have three. Tanzania are already guaranteed a place at AFCON 2027 as co-hosts, leaving Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar fighting for the group's remaining qualifying place.