Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has demanded a strong mentality from his players ahead of Tuesday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau, insisting Nigeria will have to earn victory against a confident and disciplined Wild Dogs side.
Both teams enter the encounter with perfect records after the opening round. Nigeria recovered from a goal down to defeat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo, while Guinea-Bissau produced an impressive 2-0 away victory over Tanzania.
That leaves the Wild Dogs top of Group L on goal difference, giving Tuesday’s clash at the 24 September Stadium in Bissau added significance.
“We respect them because they are a strong team; I have followed their progress over the years,” Chelle said at Monday’s pre-match press conference.
“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.”
Chelle is also dealing with fitness concerns.
Madagascar goalscorer George Ilenikhena is carrying a minor problem, while the coach revealed that two or three unnamed players have been unwell.
“We have to manage George. He has a little something,” Chelle explained. “Apart from him, we have two or three players who are sick.”
Despite those concerns, all 24 players participated in Nigeria’s official training session at the match venue on Monday evening, with the Super Eagles training for 65 minutes under light rain.
The poor condition of the Bissau pitch has also attracted attention, but Chelle refused to make it an excuse, insisting his players must adapt to the terrain.
Nigeria have won three of their previous four meetings with Guinea-Bissau, although the Wild Dogs famously defeated the Super Eagles in Abuja during the 2023 AFCON qualifiers.
This time, Chelle wants more than history on Nigeria’s side.
The Super Eagles arrived in Bissau with confidence from Madagascar, but their coach knows beating the Wild Dogs will require another level of concentration, mentality and execution.
