Nigeria’s Super Eagles suffered a shocking 3-0 defeat to the Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying Group L match at the 24 de Setembro National Stadium in Bissau on Tuesday, September 29.

Coming off a 2-1 victory over Madagascar in their opening qualifier last Friday in Uyo, Nigeria came into the game against Bissau firmly on the front foot, having won three of their last four official matches against their West African neighbours.

However, no sooner had the game started than the confidence dissipated, becoming more pronounced in the 15th minute when Franculino Djú fired a left-footed shot past a nonchalant Stanley Nwabali.

True to their superior quality, the Super Eagles did show glimpses of their class, the pitch quality notwithstanding, but they couldn’t quite find the breakthrough, with Ademola Lookman squandering one of the brightest chances a few minutes before the half-time whistle.

In a bid to salvage the game, Eric Chelle made an early change, with the centurion Moses Simon and last goalscorer Moses Usor coming on after the break. However, it was the hosts that found the net again, this time through Mama Baldé, who, after receiving a pass from Mamadi Camará, waltzed into Nigeria’s box to fire the ball into the net in the 66th minute.

Nigeria tried different avenues to get back into the match, with George Ilenikhena particularly coming close in the 85th minute, but Guinea-Bissau grabbed the ultimate goal to seal the victory in the 95th minute after Álvaro Djaló capitalised on a disjointed Nigerian defence and a seemingly unresponsive Nwabal to finish, sending the hosts to the top of Group L on six points.

Meanwhile, Nigeria sit second in the group with three points, a precarious position, considering only one team is guaranteed a qualification ticket in the group, with co-hosts Tanzania already assured of a direct qualification.

Interestingly, the last time the Super Eagles conceded three goals against African opposition was over a decade ago, on September 6, 2014, when they suffered a shock 3-2 home defeat to Congo in an AFCON qualifier. The three-time African champions subsequently missed AFCON 2015.