Guinea-Bissau continued their fine form in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series by defeating hosts Nigeria 1-0 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Friday.
Despite starting strongly and building up significant attacking pressure in the opening minutes, Nigeria consistently failed to convert their chances, fluffing opportunity after opportunity. Guinea-Bissau weathered the storm and began to offer a threat of their own.
On the half-hour mark, the Djurtus claimed a shock lead when Mama Balde sprung the offside trap, controlled Opa Sangante’s long ball and steered a shot between the legs of the goalkeeper for 1-0.
The Super Eagles upped their game in search of an equaliser before halftime but were left frustrated and disappointed as not even trickery of Samuel Chukwueze down the flanks and the introduction of the mercurial Paul Onuachu could get an equaliser. It was Guinea-Bissau that was celebrating a famous victory which could be a significant step toward a fourth successive AFCON appearance.
The victory took the Djurtus to the top of Group A on seven points, with Nigeria dropping to second on six points. The remainder of the group comprises Sierra Leone and Sao Tome & Principe. The teams will meet for the return Group A match at Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau on Monday 27 March.