Two former Nigeria internationals have given contrasting explanations for the Super Eagles’ 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Duke Udi blamed the players, while Dimeji Lawal criticised how the squad is recruited.
Franculino Djú scored in the 15th minute at the Estádio 24 de Setembro in Bissau on Tuesday. Mama Baldé doubled the lead in the 66th minute, and Álvaro Djaló added a third deep into stoppage time. It was Nigeria’s first defeat under head coach Éric Chelle.
Guinea-Bissau lead Group L with six points from two matches. Nigeria have three after a 2-1 win over Madagascar in their opener.
Speaking on a Lagos-based sports radio station , Udi defended Chelle, whose second-half substitutions of Moses Usor and Moses Simon failed to change the game.
‘Don’t pin the result on Eric Chelle. Leave Eric Chelle alone… Blame the players,’ he said.
The former midfielder said European experience guarantees nothing on the continent. ‘If you don’t bring your A-game into African competitions, you’ll be disgraced,’ he added.
Udi pointed to other results in the round, including Ghana’s 4-2 home loss to The Gambia after leading 2-0, and Senegal’s narrow 1-0 win over Ethiopia.
Lawal, on the same platform, focused on how players are selected.
‘We have too many overhyped players and a country that goes after every foreign-born player; once we see players with Nigerian names, we run after them,’ he said.
He argued that earlier generations, such as those of Austin Okocha and Daniel Amokachi, learned African football before moving to Europe. ‘We just run after players who have never set foot on our soil to come and play African football. You think African football is easy?’ he asked.
Lawal has previously criticised Nigeria’s preparation. In April, he called for stronger opposition in friendlies, saying the team had the talent to compete.
The defeat complicates Nigeria’s path to the finals. Tanzania have qualified automatically as co-hosts, so only the highest-ranked of Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar will take the additional place from Group L.
Nigeria’s next qualifier is against Tanzania in Uyo on November 11.