Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle says Nigeria will carry confidence rather than complacency into Tuesday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau after beginning their campaign with a hard-fought victory over Madagascar.
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Nigeria arrived in Bissau on Sunday following their 2-1 comeback win in Uyo, where debutants George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor overturned an early deficit to give the Super Eagles three points.
Chelle, however, expects an entirely different examination against the Wild Dogs.
“The next game is another game,” the Franco-Malian said while discussing Tuesday’s encounter, making it clear that Nigeria cannot simply reproduce the approach used against Madagascar.
Chelle started the Madagascar game in a 4-4-2 formation before switching to 4-2-3-1, a tactical adjustment that helped Nigeria find greater attacking momentum. But when asked whether he would retain that system in Bissau, the Super Eagles boss refused to reveal his plans.
“I have my game plan,” Chelle said, preferring to keep his tactical intentions away from the opposition.
There is good reason for caution.
Guinea-Bissau also opened their campaign with maximum points, beating Tanzania 2-0 to move top of Group L on goal difference ahead of Nigeria.
The Wild Dogs have also previously shown they can hurt the Super Eagles, famously winning 1-0 in Abuja during qualification for the 2023 AFCON, before Nigeria responded with a 1-0 victory in Bissau.
Tuesday’s encounter therefore represents an early battle for control of the group. With Tanzania already guaranteed a place at AFCON 2027 as co-hosts, only the highest-finishing team among the other three sides will claim the group’s additional qualification ticket.
Chelle knows the performance must improve, but after watching his players respond to adversity against Madagascar, he believes the mentality is there.
The cards remain close to his chest, but the objective in Bissau is no secret: six points from six and early control of Nigeria’s qualification destiny.
