AFCON 2027 qualifier: Chelle warns Eagles not to underrate Guinea-Bissau
by Moronfolu Adeyemi · The Eagle OnlineSuper Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has warned his players against underrating Guinea-Bissau when Nigeria face the Djurtus, also known as the Wild Dogs, in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations second-round qualifying clash in Bissau on Tuesday.
The three-time African champions are targeting another three points after their opening match, but Chelle said Nigeria must approach the Group L encounter with the right mentality against a Guinea-Bissau side that won away to Tanzania on Friday.
Chelle said: “We respect them because they are a strong team; I have followed their progress over the years.
“They also won away in Tanzania on Friday and will be confident playing on home ground tomorrow.
“Our objective is to take the three points, and to do that, we must approach the game with a strong mentality. We have to be at our best to earn victory.”
The Franco-Malian also refused to make the state of the pitch at the 24 September Stadium an excuse, insisting that Nigeria would adapt and make the best of the conditions.
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The Super Eagles held their official training at the match venue on Monday evening, with the 65-minute session taking place under a light shower of rain.
The Super Eagles will face Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 5:00pm WAT at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro in Bissau.
The match will be the Super Eagles’ second Group L fixture in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
Super Eagles squad for Guinea-Bissau
Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic, England); Maduka Okoye (Udinese Calcio, Italy); Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa).
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Isaac James (Alverca FC, Portugal); Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford FC, England); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England).
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany); Frank Onyeka (Coventry City, England).
Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City, England); Akor Adams (Venezia FC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Ajax FC, The Netherlands); George Ilenikhena (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia); Moses Usor (LASK FC, Austria).
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