Nigeria XI vs Guinea-Bissau: Awoniyi, Lookman, Adams Lead Super Eagles Attack

Nigeria XI vs Guinea-Bissau: Awoniyi, Lookman, Adams Lead Super Eagles Attack

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named a strong starting XI for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Guinea-Bissau.

The match will take place on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro in Bissau, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm Nigerian time.

Chelle has retained Stanley Nwabali in goal, while Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi form the defensive line.

In midfield, captain Wilfred Ndidi partners Frank Onyeka, with Alex Iwobi completing the three-man midfield.

The Super Eagles opened their qualifying campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo on Friday, while Guinea-Bissau defeated Tanzania 2-0 in their opening Group L fixture.

The two teams therefore enter Tuesday’s encounter with three points each, making the meeting important in the race for the group’s available qualification place.

Tanzania, one of the co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON alongside Kenya and Uganda, already have an automatic place at the tournament. This leaves the qualification race in Group L particularly significant for Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar.

READ ALSO:

• Federal Workers Back N500 Petrol Demand, Threaten Three-Day Warning Strike
• NNPC Profit Rises to N7.2tn Despite Revenue Decline
• Hamzat Clarifies Lagos Traffic ‘Lifestyle’ Remark After Backlash

Nigeria will also be without Victor Osimhen, who was ruled out of the opening qualifiers after suffering a muscle injury. Awoniyi was called into the squad as his replacement.

George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor, who scored their first Super Eagles goals against Madagascar, have been named among the substitutes.

Nigeria’s Starting XI:

Goalkeeper: Stanley Nwabali

Defenders: Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi

Forwards: Ademola Lookman, Taiwo Awoniyi, Akor Adams

The substitutes include Arthur Okonkwo, Maduka Okoye, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredericks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Ola Aina, Raphael Onyedika, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor.

Nigeria have won three of their four previous official senior international meetings with Guinea-Bissau, although the Wild Dogs defeated the Super Eagles 1-0 in Abuja during the 2023 AFCON qualifying campaign.

The Super Eagles responded by winning the return fixture in Bissau 1-0 through a Moses Simon penalty.

Nigeria also defeated Guinea-Bissau 1-0 at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire.

With both teams starting the campaign with victories, Chelle’s side will be looking to secure another three points in Bissau and strengthen their position in Group L.

Nigeria XI vs Guinea-Bissau: Awoniyi, Lookman, Adams Lead Super Eagles Attack