The Super Eagles of Nigeria continued their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, September 29, at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro.
Taiwo Awoniyi had a chance to break the deadlock in the 12th minute but his first touch let him down as the ball went straight to the Guinean goalkeeper.
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Two minutes later, Ademola Lookman had a tame shot that was too weak to trouble the lively goalkeeper.
Guinea-Bissau took the lead through Dju's 15th-minute left-footed curler from the box which went past Nwabali who did not make an attempt to save it.
The hosts, who were playing in Morocco, went on to dominate the first half and were close to doubling their lead in the 42nd minute but Dju's shot narrowly missed the target.
Nigeria raised their performance towards the end of the half but couldn’t create a clear-cut chance as Lookman’s crosses were easily snapped by the Guinean goalkeeper.
Eric Chelle made two changes in the second half by replacing Moses Simon and Moses Usor with Awoniyi and Frank Onyeka respectively.
The third-time African started brightly as the two substitutes were lively from both flanks. Usor created three chances but his crosses weren't converted by Akor Adams.
Moses had a glorious opportunity in the 53rd minute when Usor's header found him but his close-range volley lacked power
Nwabali's finger-tip save in the 57th minute ensured the team after Onyemaechi's poor clearance found a Guinea-Bissau forward.
The hosts doubled their lead in the 66th minute through captain Mama Baldé who dribbled Bright Osayi-Samuel before slotting the ball into the bottom-left corner.
In an attempt to earn a point from the encounter, Eric Chelle introduced Tolu Arokodare,George Ilenikhena, and Raphael Onyedika hoping to break the Guinean resolute defence.
Unfortunately, the decision backfired when Álvaro Djaló found the back of the net in stoppage time to bring the scoreline to 3-0.
As it stands, the Super Eagles now occupy the second spot with three points from two games, while Guinea-Bissau are at the summit of the group with six points from the same game.
