Super Eagles: 3 reasons Guinea-Bissau were harder to beat than Madagascar

The Super Eagles of Nigeria were no match for Guinea-Bissau at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro, losing 0-3 to Emiliano Te’s side, Afrik-Foot reports.

Nigeria had begun their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo, falling behind to Ehsan Kari before George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor turned the game around.

The result against Guinea-Bissau was completely different, however, as Franculino Djú, Mama Baldé and Álvaro Djaló found the net to hand the Djurtus a second consecutive victory in Group L.

While Madagascar had troubled Nigeria early, the Super Eagles eventually took control of that game and finished with 55% possession and 22 shots compared to Madagascar’s four.

Against Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria had 55% possession again, but the shot count was level at 12-12, and the hosts had seven attempts on target to Nigeria’s five.

Super Eagles: Why Guinea-Bissau were harder to beat

1. Guinea-Bissau surpassed Nigeria’s intensity

This was perhaps the biggest difference between the two opponents.

Madagascar spent long periods defending after taking an early lead, allowing Nigeria to build pressure and dominate territory.

Guinea-Bissau, meanwhile, were far more willing to compete for the game rather than simply protect their advantage.

Chelle admitted as much after the defeat, saying the hosts were “more aggressive than us” and showed greater personality in the contest.

That aggression made it harder for Nigeria to establish the same rhythm they found against Madagascar.

2. Guinea-Bissau offered a greater attacking threat

Madagascar scored first in Uyo but created very little afterwards. Their four shots across the entire match compared with Nigeria’s 22 highlighted how much the Super Eagles controlled the contest after falling behind.

Guinea-Bissau were a completely different proposition. Despite the state of the pitch, the Djurtus registered 12 shots, seven of them on target, while also recording two big chances.

That meant Nigeria could not simply push forward without worrying about what was happening behind them.

As such, the Super Eagles were caught in two minds as to whether to fully attack or to just hold out and keep the scoreline noble.

3. Guinea-Bissau punished Nigeria’s mistakes

Perhaps most importantly, Guinea-Bissau were more clinical when opportunities arrived.

Franculino opened the scoring in the 15th minute before Baldé doubled the advantage after the break, and Djaló completed the victory in stoppage time.

Madagascar also scored first against Nigeria, but the Super Eagles responded before half-time and eventually completed their comeback through Usor.

Against Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria never found that response. The Djurtus defended their lead, continued threatening on the counter and eventually turned a difficult evening into a convincing three-goal victory.

For Chelle, the lesson is bigger than the result. Madagascar showed Nigeria could recover from an early setback; Guinea-Bissau showed what happens when an opponent combines defensive discipline with enough aggression and attacking quality to punish Nigeria at the other end.