AFCON Qualifiers: Guinea Bissau stun Nigeria in Abuja

Guinea Bissau head coach Baciro Cande was delighted with the performance by his players as they stunned Nigeria in Abuja, beating them 1-0 in their Group A 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Mama Samba Balde scored the solitary strike, Guinea Bissau making the most of their 31pc possession of the ball with a stunning victory over the Super Eagles infront of their home fans.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game and having watched them play in the previous matches, we knew they love scoring early to destabilize the opponents. We made sure we didn’t concede early and we scored a good goal and kept the lead. I am delighted with the players,” Cande said after the match.

The victory away from home saw the Djurtus scale top of the group with seven points, one ahead of Nigeria who lost their first match in the qualifiers. The two sides meet again next week.

Powered by their home fans in Abuja, Nigeria had started well and their best chance was in the 16th minute when Kelechi Iheanacho picked up Victor Osimhen with a brilliant through ball, but the lanky forward’s attempt to clip over the keeper was blocked.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, Balde picking a long ball behind the defense from Opa Sangante before sliding the ball past Francis Uzoho.

They should have doubled their advantage nine minutes from halftime when Fali Cande picked up Eucidalcio Gomes with a brilliant cross-field ball, but the latter hit the side netting despite sitting the keeper and a defender down.

In the second half, Nigeria threw in their all to battle to get back into the game but they were unsuccessful with Samuel Chukwueze coming close twice with curling shots while substitute Paul Onuachu had a header sail inches wide.