The coach apologised, blamed the pitch and the heat, and pointed to November. The table says Nigeria have four games to close a three point gap.
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Eric Chelle says the Super Eagles’ 2027 Africa Cup of Nations hopes are not over after Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau, and he has four qualifiers left to prove it. The Franco-Malian coach admitted the hosts were the better side, then insisted “this is not the end” in Group L.
In Bissau, Chelle said Guinea-Bissau were more aggressive, more motivated and more intense. He also apologised to fans, according to reports in Nigeria, and said the team accepts responsibility. “Anything can happen,” he added, pointing to the four games left.
He pointed to a poor pitch and hot weather, though he called neither an excuse. The hosts know the surface well, he said, while Nigeria were playing on it for the first time.
Chelle’s Plan for November
His plan is simple. Nigeria must win both November games against Tanzania, who have already qualified as co-hosts. The two matches are played within four days of each other.
After Tanzania come Madagascar away and Guinea-Bissau at home in Uyo. Chelle wants the Djurtus to meet the same kind of conditions Nigeria faced in Bissau. Bettors looking ahead to November can check the YOHAIG welcome offer before the next window.
The Arithmetic Is Harsh
Only one team from Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar goes through alongside Tanzania, so finishing second is no use. Guinea-Bissau lead on six points, Nigeria have three, and Madagascar and Tanzania have one each.
The tie breaker makes it worse. CAF uses head to head record ahead of goal difference, and Guinea-Bissau already hold a 3-0 win over Nigeria. If the two finish level on points, Nigeria could need to beat them by four goals in Uyo.
It’s a tall order for a team that has already missed two straight World Cups. Fans who enjoy calling results can try Bet9ja’s Super9ja predictor while the qualifiers pause.
Pressure on the Coach
The backlash has been loud. Supporters and pundits have questioned the team’s creativity, and Legit.ng noted it was Chelle’s first competitive defeat inside 90 minutes since he took charge.
Chelle has asked for calm. He said the squad knows its strengths and weaknesses, called Tuesday a bad day, and insisted he is still confident in his players.
Before the Tanzania games there is a friendly against Russia on October 6, the last fixture of this international window. Anyone new to betting on the Super Eagles can read how to claim your Bet9ja bonus first.
Four games remain, and the head to head record already points the other way. Does Chelle still have the answers to turn it around?
📌 Did You Know?
- The AFCON 2027 finals run from June 19 to July 17, 2027, and are co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
- Guinea-Bissau are coached by Emiliano Té, who said before the game that earlier meetings with Nigeria would not deter his side.
- The Djurtus have kept clean sheets in both of their qualifiers so far.
- Tanzania had about 60 percent of the ball and 20 shots against Guinea-Bissau’s 10 in the opening game, yet still lost 2-0.
- George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor scored on their Nigeria debuts in the 2-1 win over Madagascar.
- Nigeria were runners-up at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
