Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been warned against complacency as they prepare to face Guinea-Bissau in a crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.
The two teams meet at the 24 September Stadium in Bissau on Tuesday, with Emmanuel Ikpeme, the acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), insisting that securing all three points must remain the team’s priority.
Ikpeme delivered his message to the players before the match, recalling Nigeria’s previous visit to the same venue for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
“We were here for a similar AFCON qualifying match three years ago, and we won by a lone goal,” Ikpeme told the squad.
He urged the Super Eagles to reproduce that result and maintain the momentum from their previous qualifying fixture, when they defeated Madagascar in Uyo on Friday.
“Victory is crucial on Tuesday, and I believe you will give your all for the three points as you did three years ago, and as you did on Friday against Madagascar in Uyo,” he said.
Ikpeme also stressed that Nigeria could not afford to lose concentration during any part of the contest, warning that Guinea-Bissau would present a demanding challenge on home soil.
“Our focus and concentration must be one hundred percent for the entire 90 minutes, because Guinea-Bissau is a very strong team in every way you look at it,” he added.
The acting NFF general secretary pointed to the sides’ previous meeting at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon as another reason for Nigeria to approach Tuesday’s match with caution.
“We played them at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon and we needed all our strength and diligence to win. The team is not one that we can take for granted,” Ikpeme said.
Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau have faced each other four times in official senior internationals. The Super Eagles have won three of those encounters, while the Djurtus have recorded one victory.
Tuesday’s fixture will therefore bring the teams together again in a contest in which Ikpeme believes Nigeria’s concentration, effort and determination will be essential. His warning comes as the Super Eagles seek another victory in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, having already secured a win against Madagascar in their most recent match.