The presence of top strikers like Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze notwithstanding, the Super Eagles, again, flopped at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, yesterday, losing 0-1 to Guinea Bissau in an AFCON qualifier.

The result of the match, which has put the Wild Dogs on top of Group A, left the fans frustrated yesterday with a majority of them calling for the immediate sack of coach Jose Paseiro.

It was the second meeting between the two countries at the senior international stage, with the last encounter at the 2022 AFCON group stage in Garou, Cameroun, ending 2-0 in Nigeria’s favour. That was under coach Augustine Eguavoen.

But it was a different ball game in Abuja yesterday. The defeat came just three days after Guinea forced Nigeria’s U-23 team to a 0-0 draw, thereby putting the nation’s qualification to Paris 2024 Olympics Games at great risk.

France-based Mama Samba Balde scored for Guinea Bissau in the 30min to silence the home crowd. It was his second international goal for his country.

Super Eagles coach, Paseiro, made two changes at halftime, as Moses Simon and Paul Onuachu came in to replace Ademola Lookman and Kelechi Iheanacho.

The second half started with the Super Eagles pushing hard for an equalizer. Semi Ajayi came in to replace injured Kevin Akpoguma in the 53rd minute, while Samuel Chukwueze, Paul Onuachu, Wilfred Ndidi, and Victor Osimhen had chances to equalize, but all efforts proved abortive. Frank Onyeka came in to replace Ndidi in the 67th minute, as the Nigeria team continues to look for a way to strike a balance in the midfield.

Though, the Super Eagles dominated possession, but could not convert their chances. With time running out, Paseiro brought in team captain Ahmed Musa to replace Samuel Chukwueze in the 86minute to make his 108th appearance for Nigeria.

About a year ago, angry Nigerian fans stormed the pitch of the MKO Abiola Stadium after the Super Eagles, led then by coach Eguavoen, failed to qualify for Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The result saw Nigeria drops to the second position with 6pts in Group A, while Guinea Bissau moves to the top with 7 points. The second leg of the game comes up next Tuesday, March 28 in Bissau.

Guinea-Bissau, who have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations three times in their history, began their campaign by defeating Sao Tome and Principe 5-1 before drawing 2-2 with Sierra Leone in Conakry.

The Wild Dogs had promised to cause an upset against the star-studded Super Eagles after their last training on Thursday, which they did yesterday. (The Guardian)

•PHOTO: No way…a Guinea Bissau defender seems to tell Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, in their AFCON qualifier in Abuja….yesterday<br />PHOTO: OGANLA MEDIA

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