Chelle blames bad pitch, weather for Super Eagles loss to Guinea-Bissau
The coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Eric Chelle has disclosed that the bad pitch and weather condition experienced away contributed to their 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau in their 2027 AFCON qualifier.
Chelle who was addressing the media after the game admitted that Guinea-Bissau team were more aggressive throughout the game but the conditions he mentioned earlier limited the chances of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
He said that his team could not find a way to play the host which entered the game with more motivation, more aggressiveness, and more intensity throughout 90 minutes in the capital of Bissau.
“They were more aggressive than us, they were better than us,” Chelle’s said.
“Though this is not an excuse but they know their pitch, they usually play on this pitch but for us it was the first time and the pitch was very bad and the weather was very hot too. So Guinea-Bissau entered the game more motivated, more aggressive, they put more intensity and we never found a solution.
The coach has however not lost hope on Nigeria’s chances of qualifying from the group which has just one ticket at stake saying the Super Eagles will make amends with four games left to play in the qualifiers.
Read Also: Guinea-Bissau stun Nigeria 3-0 in AFCON 2027 qualifier
He said; “We tried to go forward after halftime, to bring something new but after 10 minutes we stopped and I don’t know why. But this is not the end because there are lots of games to play, we have two games against Tanzania in November and we have to win both games. After that we have Guinea-Bissau in Uyo and we need to put them in the same condition we had here.”
“The situation is not very good but I am very confident about my team, we have four more games and anything can happen so we have to stay focus, calm, we know our strength and weaknesses and today was s bad day for us but I am still confident about my team and my players.” Chelle added.
Guinea-Bissau delivered an impressive performance in front of their home fans with Franculino Dju scoring the first goal of the game in the 16th minute after firing in an unstoppable shot past Stanley Nwabali.
The host scored the second goal of the game in the 66th minute through striker Mama Bade while Alvaro Djalo scored the third goal of the game in injury time to seal a historic win over the three-time AFCON winners.
Nigeria’s next 2027 AFCON qualifying matches are scheduled for the international window international window in November 2026 (Matchdays 3 & 4), featuring a double header against Tanzania.
