The Guinea-Bissau national football team, known as Seleção nacional de futebol da Guiné-Bissau in Portuguese, represents Guinea-Bissau in men's international association football. It is controlled by the Football Federation of Guinea-Bissau. While the team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup, it has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations four times, marking its debut in 2017.
Nigeria, known as the Super Eagles, is a dominant force in African football. The two teams have met several times in competitive matches, each encounter adding a chapter to their shared history.
FIFA World Cup Qualification
Guinea-Bissau entered their first FIFA World Cup qualification with the aim of reaching the 1998 World Cup in France. The first round of African qualification required them to play Guinea in a two-legged match. The first leg was held at home in the Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau on June 1, 1996, with an attendance of 15,000. Guinea-Bissau went 2-0 up at half-time after strikes from Pereira Tavares in the 11th and 36th minutes. Guinea's Titi Camara equalised with his own brace in the 53rd and 54th minutes. Guinea-Bissau's Co Cipriano won the game with a 60th-minute penalty to make it 3-2. The away leg was held at the Stade du 28 Septembre in Conakry.
Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualification and Tournament History
Guinea-Bissau first participated in AFCON qualification in 1994, where they defeated Cape Verde over three legs, but failed to register a single point in the second round as their draw against Togo was annulled after Togo withdrew from the competition. Guinea-Bissau next entered qualification in 2006, where they lost 4-1 to the Mali national football team and were again banned in 2008 for unpaid debts to CAF. In 2012, they secured a single win (1-0 against Kenya) and five losses to finish last in Group J. The following year, they were eliminated 2-0 by Cameroon.
For the 2017 qualifiers, Guinea-Bissau was drawn from Pot 4 into Group E and, despite being the lowest ranked nation in their group, achieved ten points and qualified for the 2017 tournament ahead of Congo, Zambia, and Kenya. In their African Cup of Nations debut, Guinea-Bissau drew 1-1 with Gabon with a 91st-minute equaliser by Juary Soares. Guinea-Bissau then also won their Group in the 2019 qualifiers to reach a second straight Finals. On March 30, 2021, Guinea-Bissau went into their final qualifying match against Congo, needing a victory to qualify.
Read also: Traveler's Guide: Guinea Time
AFCON 2022: Nigeria vs. Guinea-Bissau
In a game that went according to script at the 2022 AFCON, the Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated the Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau 2-0, advancing to the last 16 of the tournament while eliminating their opponents.
The match showcased Nigeria's disciplined performance against a physical and organized Guinea-Bissau team. While Guinea-Bissau's defense was mostly organized, their offense lacked innovation and creativity. Nigeria secured maximum points for the first time since 2006, proving their quality with players from the English Premier League on the field.
Key moments from the match:
- Nigeria took the lead through a Sadiq Umar effort.
- Nigeria's second goal was awarded after a lengthy VAR review.
AFCON Clash: Nigeria Vs Guinea Bissau pre-match press conference
Despite Guinea-Bissau's efforts, they struggled to break Nigeria's lines. Guinea-Bissau made two substitutions, bringing in Ambri for Silva and Mendy for Intima, but it wasn't enough to alter the course of the game. A heavy collision in midfield saw Fali Cande of Guinea-Bissau and Kelechi Iheanacho of Nigeria go down.
Umar Sadiq, who scored the opening goal, was later replaced by Peter Olayinka. Nigeria had a corner but failed to capitalize, while Guinea-Bissau's Moreto Cassama's long-range shot sailed high over the bar.
Read also: The Gulf of Guinea's Vibrant Capital
In the first half, Guinea-Bissau showed poise but struggled to convert it into an attacking threat. Nigeria controlled possession with 69% compared to Guinea-Bissau's 31%. Chidera Ejuke was a standout player for Nigeria in midfield.
Before the match, Nigeria's coach Jose Peseiro emphasized the importance of taking the game seriously and aiming for the top spot in Group B. He acknowledged Guinea-Bissau as a good team with quality players, cautioning against underestimation.
Nigeria made four changes to the team that beat Ivory Coast, with Kenneth Omeruo, Joe Aribo, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Moses Simon coming into the side.
Match Summary
Here is a summary of the match details:
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Teams | Nigeria vs. Guinea-Bissau |
| Competition | AFCON 2022 Group D |
| Final Score | 2-0 |
| Nigeria Goal Scorers | Sadiq Umar |
| Key Moment | Nigeria's second goal awarded after VAR review |
Read also: Head-to-Head: Guinea vs Uganda
