0-3 loss to ‘minnows’ raises posers

It is early days yet in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series, but the signs are ominous for Nigerians, who agonised as their team, the Super Eagles, missed the 2026 World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Yesterday, fears were rife that if the Super Eagles remain lethargic and fails to rise to the occasion, it may miss the Africa Cup of Nations billed to hold in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania next year.

This follows the team’s comprehensive defeat by “minnows,” Wild Dogs of Guinea Bissau, who whacked them 3-0 to lead Group L of the qualifying series.

There are four teams in Group L and only two will qualify from the group. But the problem is that Tanzania, as co-hosts of the championships, has already taken one slot, leaving Guinea Bissau, Nigeria and Madagascar to fight for the remaining slot.

Like it happened when Nigeria missed out of the championship in 2017 when Chad pulled out of the qualifying race, with Egypt taking the only spot as winners of the group, whoever wins Group L will pick the spot for the 2027 edition, while others miss out.

Yesterday’s victory in Bissau gave the Wild Dogs six points, while Nigeria are on three, with Tanzania and Madagascar on a point each after their 1-1 draw.

Nigerians went into yesterday’s match with high hopes of banishing the ghosts of the missed World Cup, but the Wild Dogs gave them something new to worry about in the 15th minute when Franculino Djú made hay off a pass from Renato Nhaga.

The Super Eagles’ dream of getting even in the second half faded in the 66th minute when Mama Baldé added to the sore. And 2-0 soon became 3-0 in the fifth minute of the added time with Tamble Monteiro the beneficiary of Nigeria’s lax defending.

To remedy the situation, Nigeria must record a better result than anything Guinea Bissau gets henceforth to stand a chance of overhauling the Wild Dogs, who still have to come to Uyo for the reverse leg of the tie.

Next for the Super Eagles is an international friendly with Russia in October 6, before the AFCON qualifiers return on November 9.