Super Eagles humiliated, Ghana collapse: 5 biggest shocks from AFCONQ 2027 matchday 2 (RANKED)

Nigeria’s Super Eagles got the shock of their lives in Bissau as the second matchday of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers turned into a night of shattered expectations, spectacular comebacks and heavyweight stumbles, Afrik-Foot reports.

Across 17 matches on 28 and 29 September, several established African sides discovered that early dominance in the qualifying race can disappear in 90 minutes.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles suffered the most painful collapse of the night, losing 3-0 to Guinea-Bissau in Bissau after entering the contest with three points from a 2-1 comeback against Madagascar. Guinea-Bissau, meanwhile, followed their 2-0 away victory over co-hosts Tanzania with another statement result.

Here are the five results that most disrupted expectations, ranked from fifth to first.

Super Eagles’ loss among AFCON qualifying shockers

5. Congo 1-1 Cameroon

Cameroon, ranked 43rd in FIFA’s July ranking, were expected to handle a Congo side that had lost their opener to Namibia and entered the game without a win in 14 attempts.

Geltany Bantsiele put Congo ahead after 24 minutes, and Melvin Zinga’s 53rd-minute own goal rescued a point for Cameroon. Congo also produced seven shots on target to Cameroon’s one.

4. Burundi 2-2 Algeria

Algeria, 29th in FIFA’s July ranking, were two goals down inside 12 minutes after Farès Chaïbi’s own goal and Jean Girumugisha’s strike. The Desert Foxes recovered to draw 2-2, rescuing an unbeaten start but dropping their first points of the campaign.

3. Cape Verde 1-2 Rwanda

Rwanda entered the match ranked 128th by FIFA, yet left Cape Verde, World Cup darlings of many, with six points from two games.

Benchimol put the hosts ahead before Claude Niyomugabo equalised in first-half stoppage time, then Elie Iradukunda Tatou completed the turnaround seven minutes after the interval.

2. Ghana 2-4 The Gambia

Ghana’s Black Stars looked set for control after Ernest Nuamah’s 27th-minute penalty and Felix Afena-Gyan’s free-kick six minutes later.

The Gambia responded through Muhammed Badamosi and Omar Colley before Ebrima Colley scored twice after half-time to complete a stunning 4-2 comeback, leaving five-time AFCON winners Ghana pointless after two matches.

1. Guinea-Bissau 3-0 Nigeria’s Super Eagles

Nigeria’s Super Eagles defeat was the night’s most dramatic reversal. The Super Eagles, ranked 26th by FIFA, had opened with a 2-1 win over Madagascar, but Franculino Djú struck after 15 minutes, Mama Baldé doubled the lead in the 65th and Álvaro Djaló completed the rout in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

It is the first time in history that the Super Eagles would lose by three clear goals in an AFCON qualifying match.

Guinea-Bissau now have six points from six after beating Tanzania 2-0 in their opener, while Nigeria’s Group L position has become precarious because Tanzania are already guaranteed a place as co-hosts.