AFCON 2027 qualifiers: Iwobi to captain Super Eagles against Guinea-Bissau
by Moronfolu Adeyemi · The Eagle OnlineFulham midfielder Alex Iwobi is set to captain the Super Eagles when Nigeria face Guinea-Bissau in their second Group L fixture of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Bissau on Tuesday evening.
Iwobi will take over the captaincy from Wilfred Ndidi, who led Nigeria in their 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday.
The captaincy change gives Iwobi an increased leadership role after he played a key part in Nigeria’s comeback against Madagascar.
The Fulham midfielder supplied the pass for George Ilenikhena’s first-half stoppage-time equaliser, allowing the 20-year-old to mark his senior debut with a goal.
Moses Usor then completed Nigeria’s comeback in the 65th minute, just four minutes after coming on for Samuel Chukwueze.
Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau both opened their qualification campaigns with victories, but the Djurtus currently sit above the Super Eagles on goal difference following their 2-0 win over Tanzania in Zanzibar.
Franculino Djú gave Guinea-Bissau the lead in the 33rd minute before Mama Baldé doubled the advantage in the 58th minute.
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The second-round fixture will be played at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro in Bissau, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm Nigerian time.
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has 24 players available in camp, with Victor Osimhen ruled out after the Galatasaray striker suffered a right thigh muscle strain against Başakşehir. Taiwo Awoniyi was subsequently added to the squad.
Nigeria also have a recent record of success at the venue, having defeated Guinea-Bissau 1-0 there during the previous AFCON qualifying campaign, with Moses Simon scoring the winning goal.
The result of Tuesday’s encounter could have an early impact on the Group L qualification race, particularly because Tanzania are co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON alongside Kenya and Uganda and qualify automatically.
That leaves Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar battling for the group’s single remaining qualification place.
A win would move Iwobi and the Super Eagles to six points from their opening two matches and leave Guinea-Bissau on three points.
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