The apology follows the Super Eagles’ 3-0 defeat in Bissau on September 29. The result stands, but Guinea-Bissau will reportedly have to find a new home for their remaining qualifiers.
Want our football coverage to show up first?
Add FootballInNigeria as a preferred source and our stories get a "Preferred" badge in your Google Top Stories, AI Overviews, and AI Mode results.
CAF has apologised to the Nigeria Football Federation over the state of the pitch used for Nigeria’s 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. According to OwnGoalNigeria, CAF has also barred the Estadio Nacional 24 de Setembro in Bissau from hosting further matches in the campaign.
Nigeria lost the Group L game on September 29, with Franculino Djú, Mama Baldé and Álvaro Djaló scoring for the hosts. It was the Super Eagles’ first defeat of the group.
Pitch Concerns Before Kick-Off
The condition of the surface was clear before the game. Eric Chelle spoke about it after Nigeria’s training session at the stadium, and members of the Nigerian camp were reportedly worried about the risk of injuries.
Guinea-Bissau officials and players were also said to be unhappy with the playing surface. CAF has now told the NFF that the pitch was not in the same state when the stadium was inspected and approved to host the match.
Super Eagles supporters thinking about backing Nigeria in the next window can look at the Bet9ja sign-up offer before the next fixture.
Chelle Takes the Blame
Chelle refused to blame the pitch for the result. He accepted responsibility and admitted Guinea-Bissau were the better team on the day.
The defeat leaves Nigeria on three points from two Group L games. Guinea-Bissau have six after winning both of theirs, while Nigeria opened with a 2-1 comeback win over Madagascar in Uyo.
Readers keen to try a bonus code before the next round of qualifiers can claim the YOHAIG code and check the terms first.
What Happens Next
The 3-0 result remains unchanged, so an apology does nothing for Nigeria’s points tally. Guinea-Bissau, meanwhile, must find another CAF-approved ground for their remaining home matches in the group.
So how does a venue pass inspection and then fall short when a top team arrives? That’s the question CAF now has to answer for stadiums across the continent, not only in Bissau.
Fans who enjoy making predictions without staking cash can try the Super9ja ₦10M prediction game alongside Nigeria’s next fixtures.
📌 Did You Know?
- The Estadio Nacional 24 de Setembro was built by China in 1989 and is the main football stadium in Guinea-Bissau.
- The stadium was barred from hosting international matches from August 2021 to March 2023 over problems with dressing rooms, the pitch, floodlighting and a stand without seats.
- Guinea-Bissau were previously forced to play their home matches outside the country because of those stadium problems.
- The Super Eagles moved on to Russia after Bissau, where they face the hosts in a friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, October 6.
- Nigeria are ranked 26th in the FIFA world rankings as they rebuild after missing out on the 2026 World Cup.
