Nigeria and Ghana lose in AFCON Qualifiers

Guinea-Bissau stunned Nigeria for the second time in three years, defeating the Super Eagles 3-0 in Bissau on Tuesday to take control of Group L in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Franculino Dju opened the scoring in the 15th minute before Mama Baldé, who scored Guinea-Bissau’s famous winner against Nigeria in Abuja in 2023, doubled the advantage in the 65th minute. Alvario Djalo completed the rout with a third goal in the fifth minute of added time.

The defeat was Nigeria’s heaviest in a competitive match since their 4-1 loss to Denmark at the 1998 World Cup. 

The result leaves Guinea-Bissau top of Group L with six points from two matches without conceding a goal, while Nigeria remain on three points. 

Madagascar and Tanzania are yet to register a point, leaving the Super Eagles three points behind the group leaders.

Nigeria had opened their qualifying campaign with a 2-1 victory over Madagascar but now face an uphill task after suffering another setback in an African qualifying campaign. 

The Super Eagles will now turn their attention to Tanzania as they look to revive their campaign, with Nigeria scheduled to host the East Africans on November 11 before traveling for the return fixture on November 15.

Meanwhile, Ghana suffered a damaging 4-2 defeat to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, leaving the Black Stars without a point after their opening two matches in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Ghana appeared to be in control after taking a 2-0 lead before the half-hour mark. Ernest Nuamah converted a penalty in the 27th minute, while Felix Afena-Gyan doubled the advantage six minutes later with a well-taken free-kick.

The Gambia quickly turned the game around, with Mohammed Badamosi reducing the deficit from the penalty spot after Gideon Mensah was adjudged to have fouled Joseph Ceesay. 

Omar Colley then leveled the score three minutes before half-time after connecting with a flick-on from Yaya Bojang.

The Gambia remained dangerous on the counter-attack and took the lead when substitute Ebrima Colley capitalized on a defensive error to make it 3-2.

The visitors sealed the victory when Ebrima Colley scored his second goal of the night, heading in a Sanyang cross to complete a memorable comeback.

The result leaves Ghana bottom of Group C with no points from two matches after also losing 2-0 to Ivory Coast in their opening game.