TheCable

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have lost to Guinea-Bissau for the first time ever.

The Nigerians were defeated by their African counterparts on Friday evening in their Group A clash of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Jose Peseiro-led team had lost five of the last seven games — with three consecutive defeats — before the match.

Victor Osimhen, brimming with the confidence of his goal-scoring form with Napoli, had also promised that they would do “everything to win back the love of Nigerians”.

In the early stage of the match at the MKO Abiola stadium, Samuel Chukwueze’s shot was blocked by a band of defenders after Alex Iwobi stroked a grounder to him at the edge of the box.

A few minutes later, Osimhen had the opportunity to score but his toe-poked effort was thwarted by Jonas Mendes, the Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper, after a defence-splitting pass from Kelechi Iheanacho.

The Djurtus grew into the match from there on, occasionally exploiting space created by the defensive pairing of Kevin Akpogoma and Cavin Bassey.

The away team’s effort was rewarded in the 26th minute after a long ball from their half travelled through a fallow Nigerian central defence.

Mama Samba Balde chased the floated cross-field pass with Bassey and Akpoguma only catching up after the Bissau-Guinean slotted the ball into the net through the legs of Francis Uzoho.

The goal stunned the handful of Nigerian supporters in the stadium.

Guinea-Bissau almost doubled the lead a few minutes later but Dalcio only scooped the ball into the side netting after eliminating Iwobi off a counterattack.

Peseiro sent on Paul Onoachu and Moses Simon for Kelechi Iheanacho and Ademola Lookman at the beginning of the second half and the changes rejigged the Eagles’ attack.

Moses dragged a shot wide after a cutback from Chukwueze and Ndidi’s weak effort of a through pass from Osimhen was halted by a recovering defender.

The Eagles failed to beat the Djurtus who held on for a vital victory to go top of the group with seven points.

The result means Guinea-Bissau are defeating Nigeria for the first time in history.

The two nations have only met twice.

The first time the teams met was in the group stage of the 2021 AFCON. The Eagles won 2-0.

The second leg of the qualification tie will hold at the Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau on Monday.

Photo credit: Osodi Emmanuel