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Nigeria will face Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday after opening the campaign with a 2-1 comeback win over Madagascar in Uyo.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to depart Nigeria for Guinea-Bissau on Sunday ahead of their second Group L fixture of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Nigeria will face Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, September 29, with the match scheduled for 4 p.m. Nigerian time, according to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Head coach Éric Chelle and his players are expected to hold a closed-door training session at 10 a.m. on Sunday before heading to the airport for their scheduled departure.
The short turnaround comes after Nigeria opened its qualifying campaign with a 2-1 victory over Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday.
Ilenikhena, Usor Complete Comeback
Nigeria fell behind after Ehsan Kari gave Madagascar the lead in the 16th minute.
The Super Eagles responded before half-time when debutant George Ilenikhena equalised in stoppage time.
Another debutant, Moses Usor, then completed Nigeria’s comeback in the 65th minute to secure three points for Chelle’s side.
CAF confirmed the result, noting that Nigeria recovered from the early setback through goals from Ilenikhena and substitute Usor.
The two debutants therefore made an immediate contribution to the senior national team in their first competitive appearances.
Guinea-Bissau Also Opened With Victory
Nigeria will face an opponent that also collected maximum points in the opening round.
Guinea-Bissau defeated Tanzania 2-0 away from home on Friday, with Franculino Djú scoring in the 33rd minute before Mama Baldé doubled the advantage in the 58th minute.
CAF’s Matchday One standings show Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria both on three points in Group L, with Guinea-Bissau ahead on goal difference.
The result has added importance because Tanzania is one of the three co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON and is automatically qualified for the tournament.
CAF’s qualification format means the highest-placed team among the other three Group L nations will qualify alongside Tanzania. Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar are therefore competing for the available qualification place.
Osimhen Remains Unavailable
Nigeria will continue its qualifying campaign without Victor Osimhen.
The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed that the striker would miss both the Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau qualifiers while recovering from a muscle problem.
CAF reported that Osimhen was ruled out of the two matches after suffering a muscle strain and pain in his right thigh.
His absence has required Chelle to consider other attacking options, with the coach already handing senior international debuts to Ilenikhena and Usor.
The squad also includes established attacking players such as Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze, alongside other forwards available for selection.
Short Preparation Time For Chelle
The Super Eagles have limited time between the two qualifiers.
After Friday’s match against Madagascar, the team has only a few days to recover, travel and prepare for the away fixture in Bissau.
Sunday’s training session is expected to provide Chelle with an opportunity to work on his tactical plans and assess the condition of his players before departure.
Nigeria will also have to adjust to playing away from home after opening the campaign in front of a home crowd in Uyo.
The coaching staff will be expected to address areas from the Madagascar match while preparing the team for Guinea-Bissau’s attacking threat.
Group L Takes Shape
The opening results have given both Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau three points heading into Tuesday’s encounter.
Madagascar and Tanzania will meet in the other Group L fixture on the same day.
CAF lists Madagascar versus Tanzania for 1 p.m. Nigerian time, followed by Guinea-Bissau versus Nigeria at 4 p.m.
The Super Eagles will therefore travel to Bissau knowing that another victory would give them six points from their opening two matches.
However, the result in Tanzania has already demonstrated that Guinea-Bissau will present a competitive challenge after securing a 2-0 away victory over the co-hosts.
Eagles Target Another Positive Result
Nigeria’s immediate task is to build on the comeback victory over Madagascar and collect another positive result in Bissau.
Chelle’s team showed resilience in recovering from an early deficit in Uyo, while Ilenikhena and Usor provided the goals that secured the victory.
The second qualifier will provide another test for the squad, particularly with the limited preparation period and Osimhen’s continued absence.
The Super Eagles are expected to complete their final preparations in Nigeria before travelling to Guinea-Bissau on Sunday.
The Group L fixture is scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, at 4 p.m. Nigerian time.
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