Former Super Eagles striker Peter Ijeh has urged head coach Eric Chelle to adopt an attacking approach against Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, insisting Nigeria should take the initiative from the opening whistle rather than allow the Wild Dogs to settle into their defensive structure.
Nigeria face Guinea-Bissau at the 24 September Stadium in Bissau with both teams on three points after winning their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Super Eagles defeated Madagascar 2-1, while Guinea-Bissau recorded a 2-0 victory away to Tanzania.
For Ijeh, the circumstances demand an offensive mindset.
“We have to take the game to them and play offensive football from the start,” the former Malmö FF striker said.
Ijeh believes sustained attacking pressure could disrupt a Guinea-Bissau side expected to be compact and disciplined without the ball, preventing the hosts from becoming comfortable in front of their supporters.
He has also challenged Chelle to show greater faith in Nigeria’s younger players after their dramatic impact against Madagascar.
Debutants George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor scored Nigeria’s goals in Uyo, with Usor coming from the bench to grab the winner. Chelle could again turn to his younger options, particularly with Ilenikhena and Akor Adams having managed fitness concerns ahead of Tuesday’s encounter.
“The young players showed what they can do against Madagascar,” Ijeh said, urging Chelle to trust players who have demonstrated that they can influence games.
It is the second major attacking challenge Ijeh has issued during this international window. Before the Madagascar fixture, he argued that Osimhen’s absence represented an opportunity for Nigeria’s other strikers to “make their name.”
Now his attention has moved from personnel to approach.
Guinea-Bissau have previously demonstrated their ability to frustrate Nigeria, with three of the countries’ last three meetings ending 1-0.
For Ijeh, the best response is not caution.
Attack early, trust the youngsters and force the Wild Dogs out of their comfort zone, that is the blueprint he believes can deliver Nigeria’s second victory of the campaign.
