Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has detailed what accounted for Nigeria’s abysmal performance against Guinea-Bissau in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Tuesday, September 29.

The Wild Dogs stunned Nigeria 3-0 at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro in Bissau to claim top spot in Group L.

Franculino Djú gave the Djurtus the lead on the quarter-hour mark to ensure that the home side went into the half-time break with a 1-0 lead.

Mama Baldé scored after the break to give the home side a two-goal cushion before Álvaro Djaló nailed the coffin in stoppage time.

The defeat was Eric Chelle’s first in a competitive fixture for the Super Eagles in regulation time since taking over the reins of the team in January 2025.

Speaking in his post-match reaction, the Malian tactician admitted that Guinea-Bissau were the better side.

“They were more aggressive than us; they were better than us,” Chelle said.

“Though this is not an excuse, they know their pitch. They usually play on this pitch, but for us, it was the first time, and the pitch was very bad. The weather was very hot too.

“So, Guinea-Bissau entered the game more motivated and more aggressive. They put more intensity, and we never found a solution.

“We tried to go forward after half-time, to bring something new, but after 10 minutes, we stopped, and I don’t know why.”

WDN