Renewed Hope for Super Eagles: Guinea-Bissau drop points to give Nigeria major AFCON 2027 lifeline

• Guinea-Bissau dropped two points in Group L after being held to a 1-1 draw by Madagascar on Thursday, giving Nigeria a major boost ahead of their AFCON 2027 qualifier against Tanzania.

• Warren Caddy put Madagascar ahead in the 59th minute before Renato Nhaga rescued Guinea-Bissau with a long-range strike in the 85th minute.

Nigeria have been handed a major AFCON 2027 qualification boost after Group L leaders Guinea-Bissau were held to a 1-1 draw by Madagascar on Thursday evening.

Guinea-Bissau had won their opening two qualifiers, but they were forced to settle for a point in Antananarivo after Warren Caddy opened the scoring for Madagascar.

Caddy broke the deadlock in the 59th minute, giving Madagascar a shock lead against the group leaders.

But Renato Nhaga rescued Guinea-Bissau in the 85th minute with a long-range strike, ensuring the visitors left with a point rather than suffering a first defeat of the campaign.

The draw means Guinea-Bissau now lead Group L with four points from three matches, while Madagascar move onto two points.

Nigeria, who sit on three points from two games, can close the gap to just one point if they beat Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday.

Eric Chelle’s side opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Madagascar before suffering a damaging 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in Bissau.

Tanzania have already secured qualification as co-hosts of AFCON 2027, leaving Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar to battle for the group’s remaining automatic ticket.

The result increases the pressure on Nigeria to take maximum points from their double-header against Tanzania.

Nigeria host Tanzania on Friday, November 13, before travelling to Zanzibar for the return fixture on Tuesday, November 17.

A win in Uyo would move Nigeria to six points, a point behind Guinea-Bissau before the Bissau-based side face Madagascar again on Tuesday.

But Nigeria cannot rely on other results. To guarantee qualification, the Super Eagles must finish above Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar in Group L; meaning six points against Tanzania would put them firmly in control of their destiny.

Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau will meet again on Tuesday, November 17, with Guinea-Bissau hosting the return fixture.

For Nigeria, the focus is simple: beat Tanzania home and away, keep the momentum going and turn Thursday’s boost into a genuine route to AFCON 2027.