Super Eagles fans are watching the next big test

The mood around the Super Eagles has changed fast.

Just days ago, Nigeria started the race for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with hope. On September 25, the team beat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo. Two new players, George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor, scored the goals. Fans felt the new coach Eric Chelle had started well.
Then came the shock.

On Tuesday, September 29, Nigeria lost 3-0 away to Guinea-Bissau in Bissau at the Estádio 24 de Setembro. It was Matchday 2 of Group L for AFCON 2027 Qualifiers.

Guinea-Bissau scored early. Franculino Dju made it 1-0 in the 15th minute. Nigeria had more of the ball and tried to come back, but could not score before half-time. In the second half, captain Mama Balde made it 2-0 in the 66th minute, and substitute Alvaro Djalo added a third goal in stoppage time, 90+5'.

For many fans, the score was hard to believe. It is Nigeria's first loss by three goals to an African team since the 5-1 loss to Algeria at AFCON 1990. It is also Chelle's first competitive defeat in normal time as Super Eagles coach.

#Why fans are worried, and why some are still hopeful#

Fans are worried because of the Group L table.
- Guinea-Bissau - 6 points, +5 goals
- Nigeria - 3 points, -2 goals
- Madagascar - 1 point
- Tanzania - 1 point

The group is different from others. Tanzania is a co-host for AFCON 2027 with Kenya and Uganda, so Tanzania has already qualified. That means only ONE more team from Group L will go to AFCON 2027. Right now, that team is Guinea-Bissau.

This makes every game like a final. Nigeria cannot afford another slip.

Fans online are asking questions about the defence, the high line, and missed chances. Coach Chelle himself said after the game, They were more aggressive than us and I think they were better than us. He also said the pitch and hot weather were difficult, but admitted the team did not find solutions.

But fans are also hopeful. The Super Eagles had 56% possession and 12 shots in Bissau, so they did create chances. The team is missing Victor Osimhen due to injury, and some players were sick before the Guinea-Bissau game. Fans believe with a full squad, Nigeria can bounce back.

#What is next to watch#

The next big test is now very clear. It is the November double-header against Tanzania.

• November 11-13, 2026: Nigeria vs Tanzania in Uyo
• November 15-17, 2026: Tanzania vs Nigeria in Dar es Salaam

Both games are must-win for Nigeria. If Nigeria takes six points, they will go to 9 points and put pressure back on Guinea-Bissau before the final games in March 2027.

After Tanzania, the final two games will be:
- March 24, 2027: Madagascar vs Nigeria
- March 28, 2027: Nigeria vs Guinea-Bissau - the return leg and possible decider in Group L

For fans, the story is simple. The loss in Bissau still hurts, but qualification is not over. The Super Eagles need four good results in a row. The Tanzania games in November are the first step. All eyes will be on Uyo to see how the team reacts.

You can track updates on https://www.cafonline.com and the https://www.espn.com/soccer/team/_/id/657/nigeria.