As Super Eagles seek to cage the Wild Dogs this evening in Bissau, former national team goalkeeper, David Aigbovo, has advised Coach Eric Chelle and his players to adopt a cautious approach to the game.

The Super Eagles and Wild Dogs of Guinea-Bissau have three points each from one match, but the Wild Dogs top Group L with a superior goal difference of plus two, following their 2-0 victory over host Tanzania last week. The Super Eagles won 2-1 against Madagascar in Uyo.

Nigeria and Guinea Bissau have played four official matches at senior level, with the Super Eagles winning three of the games, including the January 19, 2022 Group D AFCON clash at the Roumde Adjia Stadium in the northern Cameroonian town of Garoua, where Sadiq Umar and William Troost-Ekong scored second-half goals to give Nigeria all three points.

Aigbovo, who led Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan to victory in the maiden CAF Cup competition in 1992, told The Guardian yesterday that as hosts, Guinea-Bissau would do everything possible to impress their home fans, especially after securing an away win over Tanzania a few days ago.

“The Super Eagles narrowly survived last Friday with a 2-1 home victory against Madagascar in Uyo, but I feel this game against the Wild Dogs of Guinea-Bissau will really determine whether Nigeria can top the group or not.

“As hosts, Guinea-Bissau will put in everything to impress their fans after securing an away win against Tanzania last week.

“The Super Eagles have to tread with caution by avoiding those little mistakes that cost Nigeria some vital points during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. This is a new regime, and it will be sad if we cannot beat Guinea Bissau to top the group. The players must understand that there are no more pushovers in African football. We just have to win to avoid last-minute calculations of ‘if’ and ‘if’. I have the confidence the Super Eagles can do it,” Aigbovo stated.

The Guardian recalls that after the victory in Garoua, Cameroun, in 2022, the Wild Dogs shocked the Super Eagles by a lone goal in a 2023 AFCON qualifying match played at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. A few days later, Nigeria won by the same margin in Bissau with Moses Simon scoring from the penalty spot.

At the AFCON finals in Côte d’Ivoire the following year, the Super Eagles pipped the Wild Dogs by a lone goal at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.

Meanwhile, the Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, has called on the Super Eagles to be fully focused and entertain no distractions in today’s confrontation with the Wild Dogs at the 24 September Stadium in Bissau.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed match referees from Ethiopia to take charge of the encounter, which will commence at 4 pm Guinea-Bissau time (5 pm in Nigeria).

Tewodros Mitiku will be the match referee, with his compatriots Fasika Biru Fasika, Tigle Belachew and Manuhe Woldetsadik in the roles of first assistant, second assistant and fourth official.

Senegalese official Yaya Balde will serve as the commissioner while former FIFA-badged referee, Papa Bakary Gassama from The Gambia will be the referee assessor.