Super Eagles vs Guinea-Bissau: 3 big selection headache Eric Chelle now faces

The Super Eagles of Nigeria take on Guinea-Bissau in their second game of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday, and coach Eric Chelle has some key decisions to make for that clash, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Franco-Malian tactician has had only a few days to prepare the Super Eagles for this game after their 2-1 comeback win over Madagascar. But that win brought about some puzzles which Chelle must sort out soon.

The Djurtus will definitely present a different threat for Nigeria going into that game, so Chelle is expected to make some changes to his setup – hence a change in personnel.

In this article, Afrik-Foot writes about three selection headaches for Chelle going into the game in Bissau.

1. Stanley Nwabali or Maduka Okoye in Goal?

Stanley Nwabali did enough against Madagascar to make this a genuine selection dilemma.

The Chippa United goalkeeper started in Uyo and produced an important one-on-one save to deny Madagascar captain Rayan Raveloson early in the second half, with Nigeria still trailing. Chelle subsequently praised Nwabali’s intervention.

But Maduka Okoye is also available. The Udinese goalkeeper missed the Madagascar game after arriving late to camp, but he was included in the original squad and was even expected to be the first-choice for the Super Eagles.

That gives Chelle a choice between continuity and rotation. Keeping Nwabali would reward a goalkeeper who has just produced when Nigeria needed him and importantly, arrived in camp very early.

The moment Stanley Nwabali made this 1v1 save against Madagascar! 🔥

Best goalkeeper in Africa! 🇳🇬🧤 pic.twitter.com/NquBBzcdmN

— Pulse Sports Nigeria (@PulseSportsNG) September 25, 2026

On the other hand, bringing Okoye back would give the coach an opportunity to use a goalkeeper who has been playing regularly at a club in one of the top five European Leagues..

With Guinea-Bissau possessing forwards such as Mama Baldé and Franculino Djú, Chelle will want his goalkeeper to be comfortable dealing with both direct balls and situations requiring quick distribution.

2. Does Moses Usor Start Ahead of Chukwueze?

This could be Chelle’s most interesting attacking decision. Samuel Chukwueze started against Madagascar but was replaced after 60 minutes, with Moses Usor taking his place. The LASK attacker then needed only four minutes to score the winning goal on his Super Eagles debut.

That immediately changes the conversation around the right side of Nigeria’s attack.

Chukwueze has considerably more international experience, but Usor has now given Chelle something tangible to consider: direct running, aggression in possession and, most importantly, end product.

The question is whether Chelle sees Usor’s goal as the perfect impact-substitute performance or evidence that he deserves a start.

WHAT A SOLO GOAL FROM SUBSTITUTE AND DEBUTANT USOE MOSES!😱🔥 pic.twitter.com/dJdVCLbH1B

— Biobelemoye🇲🇼🇳🇬 (@Ikio_Annabel) September 25, 2026

There is also a tactical argument for changing the winger. Guinea-Bissau are likely to provide Nigeria with a different defensive problem from Madagascar, and Usor’s ability to carry the ball into space could be useful against a side that may look to defend and then transition quickly.

Starting Usor would not necessarily mean Chukwueze has fallen out of favour. It would simply acknowledge that the debutant has given the coach another option.

3. Ilenikhena or Another Striker?

Victor Osimhen’s absence has forced Chelle to find a temporary solution at centre-forward, and the coach may now have a difficult decision after George Ilenikhena’s debut.

The 20-year-old started against Madagascar and scored Nigeria’s equaliser in first-half stoppage time, calmly finishing Alex Iwobi’s pass. He was eventually replaced by Taiwo Awoniyi in the second half.

Ilenikhena therefore has momentum on his side. But Chelle has alternatives.

Akor Adams started alongside Ilenikhena against Madagascar, while Tolu Arokodare and Awoniyi are also available. Osimhen’s injury has opened the door for several forwards to establish themselves during the September qualifiers.

The interesting part is that Ilenikhena’s goal was not simply a consolation moment. It showed the youngster’s composure inside the box and gave Nigeria the platform to recover from Madagascar’s early lead.

Chelle must now decide whether to maintain that partnership or introduce a more physical striker against Guinea-Bissau.

With the Djurtus having beaten Tanzania 2-0, Nigeria cannot assume the game will be dominated from start to finish. The choice of striker could therefore depend on whether Chelle wants more movement behind the defence, physicality against Guinea-Bissau’s centre-backs or a forward capable of holding the ball up.