By Amaechi Agbo
The Super Eagles will face their first away test of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign when they travel to Bissau to take on Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, September 29.
Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau both began their Group L campaigns with victories, making their meeting at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro an early top-of-the-table clash.
Match Preview
How Nigeria reached the second match
It will be Nigeria’s first away match in the qualifying campaign after the Super Eagles opened with a 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday.
Eric Chelle’s side had to come from behind to secure all three points against Madagascar.
The visitors took the lead through Ehsan Kari after 16 minutes, but Nigeria responded just before half-time when debutant George Ilenikhena converted an Alex Iwobi assist.
Moses Usor, another player making his senior international debut, completed the comeback in the 65th minute after being set up by Semi Ajayi.
The result gave Nigeria three points from their opening Group L fixture and extended the list of players who have scored on their Super Eagles debut.
Nigeria will again be without Victor Osimhen, who has been ruled out of the September qualifiers while recovering from a muscle injury suffered during Galatasaray’s league match against Başakşehir.
His absence means Chelle will once again have to rely on the other attacking options in his squad.
Maduka Okoye has also return to the squad after missing the matchday one.
How Guinea-Bissau reached the second match
Guinea-Bissau also made a winning start, but theirs came away from home.
The Djurtus defeated Tanzania 2-0 in Dar es Salaam, with Franculino Djú opening the scoring in the 33rd minute before Mama Baldé added the second in the 58th minute.
The victory gave Guinea-Bissau three points and put them level with Nigeria at the top of Group L after the opening round.
Guinea-Bissau currently have the better goal difference
Head-to-head record
Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau have developed a competitive rivalry in recent AFCON meetings, with the Super Eagles holding the overall advantage.
The two countries have faced each other four times at senior level, with Nigeria winning three matches and Guinea-Bissau winning once.
There has been no draw between them.
However, Tuesday’s game will be played in Bissau, and Guinea-Bissau will enter the contest with the confidence of having already collected three points away from home in their opening qualifier.
Match details
Date:Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Kick-off:5:00 p.m. Nigerian time
Venue: Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro, Bissau
The match is listed for broadcast coverage on SuperSport, while beIN SPORTS also lists the fixture as part of its Africa Cup of Nations qualifying coverage
SuperSport has confirmed that AFCON qualifiers are being shown across its television and streaming platforms, although viewers are advised to check their local listings for the final channel allocation.
For viewers in Nigeria, GOtv has also announced coverage of the Super Eagles’ opening AFCON qualifiers on its SuperSport channels.
The Group L qualification race has an unusual dimension because Tanzania are one of the three co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON and are already guaranteed a place at the tournament.
As a result, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, and Madagascar are effectively competing for the remaining qualification place in the group.
CAF has described the situation as a three-way contest for the highest-ranked non-host nation.
That makes Tuesday’s meeting particularly significant for both Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau.
A win would give either side six points from the opening two matches and provide an early advantage in the qualification race.
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