Nigeria must expect tougher Guinea-Bissau test, says Ben Iroha

Former Nigeria defender Ben Iroha has urged the Super Eagles to put their 2-1 victory over Madagascar behind them and concentrate on a more demanding 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday.

Nigeria began their Group L campaign with victory in Uyo, but Iroha believes the away fixture in Bissau will present a greater challenge, particularly because of the hosts’ physical style and home support.

The match will be played at the Estadio Nacional 24 de Setembro, where Guinea-Bissau will be encouraged by their 2-0 win away to Tanzania on Sunday.

Speaking exclusively to Completesports.com from his base in Texas, USA, on Saturday, Iroha congratulated Nigeria on their opening result but warned that the qualifying campaign was only beginning.

“Victory is victory. No matter how it comes. It doesn’t come easy. So, I must say congratulations to the Super Eagles for starting the 2027 AFCON qualifiers on a high,” said Iroha, who was part of Nigeria’s 1994 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad.

“But it’s not yet uhuru. The next round of the qualifiers, an away game to Guinea-Bissau, to me, is going to be much tougher.

“So, they should focus on that game and prepare very well, especially for the ‘physical’ play of the hosts, which helped them win 2-0 away to Tanzania on Sunday.

“They [Guinea-Bissau] will come out in high spirits following their emphatic 2-0 win against Tanzania. And again, they will be playing in front of their home fans. So, they will be out to make things difficult for the Super Eagles,” Iroha explained.

Iroha identifies possible Guinea-Bissau weakness

The former Golden Eaglets assistant coach also believes Guinea-Bissau could feel the pressure of facing a Nigeria side he described as rich in talent.

“I think they will have to contend with the pressure of playing against a talent-loaded side like the Super Eagles. They will also have the task of beating the Super Eagles or getting a draw so as to remain top of the group standings.

“I think this is a technical point the Super Eagles will have to try to exploit on Tuesday.”

Nigeria’s next qualifying fixture after the Guinea-Bissau match will be against Tanzania, one of the three countries that will jointly host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

It will be the first time in the competition’s history that three countries will stage the tournament simultaneously.

The fixture against Tanzania will be held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, also known as the Nest of Champions, although a date has not yet been confirmed.

Before facing Tanzania, Nigeria are scheduled to play Russia in an international friendly on 6 October 2026. The match will take place at the 44,000-capacity Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Russia.