By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
After failing to qualify for the last FIFA World Cup finals held in the United States of America (USA), Mexico and Canada, Nigeria may not also qualify for the the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tagged PAMOJA 2027 slated for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda following the 0-3 disgraceful loss to Guinea-Bissau in Matchday 2 of the qualifiers played at 24 September Stadium in Bissau on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
Nigeria had in Matchday 1 played at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state on Saturday, September 26, 2026 came back from a goal down against Madagascar to win 2-1 on the day pick the three maximum points.
But expectations of millions of Nigerian fans that Super Eagles will go toe to toe with the Wild Dogs on Tuesday quickly evaporated like the early morning dews after the three-time African champions were humiliated with a three unreplied goals by Guinea-Bissau.
The last time Nigeria’s Super Eagles suffered a heavy defeat by a three-goal margin against African opposition in an official match was over 35 years ago at the 1990 AFCON when they lost 5-1 to Algeria just as the country conceded 3 goals to an African team the second time on September 6, 2014, in a 3-2 defeat against Congo during AFCON qualifying match.
After these two episodes, Nigeria has not been this outplayed, outclassed and outscored by an African opposition without scoring on the day like the Wild Dogs of Guinea-Bissau did to the “star-studded” Super Eagles team on Tuesday.
With Tanzania already qualified as one of the host countries of PAMOJA 2027, only one team will qualify from Group L comprising Tanzania, Madagascar, Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau which is a runaway leader with six maximum points after defeating Tanzania 2-0 away and 3-0 walloping of Nigeria in Bissau on Tuesday.
For Nigerians, the country’s 3-0 defeat by Guinea-Bissau has cast a big doubt over the ability of coach Eric Sekou Chelle and his wards to overhaul the current group leaders Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar, the two other countries contesting the only Group L ticket with Nigeria when the qualifiers are concluded on Matchdays 5 and 6 holding between March 22 and 30, 2027.
But before “March Madness”, Nigeria has to get back to the winning ways during the window of
Matchdays 3 and 4 holding between November 9 to 17, 2026.
During this window of November 9 to 17, 2026, Nigeria will play a crucial double-header against Tanzania in Matchday 3 scheduled for November 11 at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo and Matchday 4 return leg billed for Tanzania on November 15, 2026.
There is no doubt that the November double-header against Tanzania will determine the faith of coach Eric Sekou Chelle as the gaffer of Super Eagles because if Nigeria fails to defeat Tanzania in the upcoming double-header and even score more goals than Guinea-Bissau did by beating Tanzania 2-0 away from home then Nigeria may not qualify for AFCON 2027.
This is even as the current Group L leader Guinea-Bissau will at the same period play their own double-header against Madagascar in Matchday 3 away on Wednesday, November 11 while they will host Madagascar at home in Matchday 4 on Sunday, November 15, 2026.
As it stands, except Madagascar do Nigeria a favour by beating Guinea-Bissau by whatever scoreline in Matchday 3 on Wednesday, November 11 at National Sports Complex Pitch 1in Curepipe, Mauritius and also hold Guinea-Bissau to a draw away in Bissau in Matchday 4 on Sunday, November 15, 2026, then Nigeria is in a serious trouble.
This will leave Nigeria with no other choice than to win the remaining four matches while also praying that Guinea-Bissau stumbles on the way when they meet Madagascar and Nigeria respectively.
Indeed, Nigeria’s 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday has thrown a spanner in the wheel of the Super Eagles’ qualification from Group L at the conclusion of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers early next year.
Should the unexpected happens in March 2027 and Nigeria fails to qualify for PAMOJA 2027, Eric Chelle will automatically be sacked by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and some of the centurions in Super Eagles and others who have consistently not justified their invitation to the nation team.
For now, Nigerians are condemned to stay with their calculators to keep calculating how Nigeria can qualify for PAMOJA 2027.
Elsewhere, powerhouses like Morocco, Egypt, Ivory Coast and Senegal are amongst the current group leaders after Matchday 1 and 2.
Below are Group Leaders:
- Group A: Morocco leads with a strong start after opening victories.
- Group B: Egypt sits at the top of the table following tightly contested early rounds.
- Group C: Ivory Coast holds first place with maximum points from their first two matches.
- Group D: South Africa commands the top spot in the group standings.
- Group E: DR Congo leads the group ahead of chasing rivals.
- Group F: Benin occupies first place in a competitive group.
- Group G: Cameroon stands at the summit following a solid opening campaign.
- Group H: Uganda leads the standings as a co-host group frontrunner.
- Group I: Algeria is clear at the top with consecutive wins.
- Group J: Senegal holds the leading position in the group.
- Group K: Rwanda paces the group following an impressive opening statement.
- Group L: Guinea-Bissau sits at the top of the group following a stunning 3-0 win over Nigeria.
