THE Super Eagles lost momentum in their pursuit of an Africa Cup of Nations ticket with a shock 1-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium today.
Mama Samba Balde scored the only goal of the match to hand the Djurtus the stunning victory in only their second-ever clash against the Super Eagles.
Balde struck in the 29th minute, brilliantly controlling a long punt over the top in between centre-backs Calvin Bassey and Kevin Akpoguma before slipping the ball between the legs of an advancing Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho.
Before the goal, the Super Eagles had come close through Victor Osimhen, but the in-form Napoli striker’s attempt from point-blank range was smothered by the Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper.
To preserve their lead, Guinea-Bissau deployed effective offside traps in the first half, which caught Osimhen several times.
The Super Eagles, who had Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze and Kelechi Iheanacho in a loaded attack, were underwhelming in the first half, not helped by the dry, patchy surface.
Guinea-Bissau almost made it 2-0 nine minutes before half-time but their attempt went narrowly wide after the Eagles were caught out on the break.
Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro rang the changes at the start of the second half, replacing the ineffective Iheanacho and Lookman with Moses Simon and Onuachu, but the visitors stood firm.
Nigeria created little but missed their best chances, Simon side-footing wide from inside the Guinea-Bissau box with the goal at his mercy, and Onuachu heading wide from close range, taking the ball away from a better placed teammate.
With the result, Guinea-Bissau took top position in qualifying Group A with seven points, overtaking Nigeria who have six.
The two teams will face each other again on Monday in Bissau.
