Nigeria suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau on a day of shocks Africa Cup of Nations qualifying
The Super Eagles, three times AFCON champions, they missed out on the 2026 World Cup, and their hopes of taking part in next year’s tournament in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda suffered a major setback in Bissau.
Franculino Dju put Guinea-Bissau ahead in the 15th minute before Mama Balde fired in off the post to double that lead. Alvaro Djalo added a third in stoppage time to leave Guinea-Bissau three points clear of Nigeria at the top of Group L, which contains a Tanzanian side who have already qualified as hosts, so only the group winners will progress.
Ghana face an uphill battle to reach the AFCON finals after the Black Stars suffered a second straight defeat.
After losing 2-0 to Ivory Coast in their Group C opener, Carlos Queiroz’s men were beaten 4-2 at home by Gambia.
Ghana appeared in front after an Ernest Nuamah penalty and a goal from Felix Afena-Gyan gave them 2-0. However, Gambia produced a superb comeback, Muhammed Badamosi pulling one back from the penalty spot and Omar Colley leveling matters before the break.
Ebrima Colley completed the turnaround, then settled the contest with his second in the first minute of stoppage time.
Ivory Coast left it late to beat Somalia 2-0, an 89th-minute goal from Coventry City’s Yann Gboho breaking the deadlock before United’s Bazoumana Toure fired in a stoppage-time rebound.
Meanwhile, Morocco made it two wins from two in Group A by beating Lesotho 2-0 away.
The Lions of the Atlas, controversially awarded the 2025 title after the result of their final with Senegal was overturned by CAFwon thanks to goals from Brahim Diaz and Azzedine Ounahi.
Nicolas Jackson set up Aston Villa team-mate Ibrahim Mbaye for the only goal of the game as Senegal secured their first win in Group J with a 1-0 home win against Ethiopia after opening with a 1-1 draw against Mozambique.
Egypt responded to the frustration of their opening draw with Angola by thrashing South Sudan 5-0, Tottenham striker Omar Marmoush scoring twice in a Group B defeat in Juba.
But Cape Verde, whose progress in the knockout rounds made them one of the stories of the World Cup, have no points from their two Group K games after losing 2-1 at home to Rwanda.
Benchimol gave Cape Verde the lead, but goals from Claude Niyomugabo and Elie Iradukunda Tatou turned the game around. Cape Verde are now six points off a qualifying place.
Algeria avoided a major shock in Group I as they came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Burundi. In Group G, a second-half own goal saved Cameroon’s blushes as the Lions of Teranga came from 1-0 down to draw 1-1 with Congo.
Other AFCON qualifying results
Comoros – Namibia 1-0
Mozambique – Sudan 4-1
Madagascar – Tanzania 1-1
Uganda – Libya 1-0
Zambia – Togo 2-0
Benin 2-1 Mauritania
Gabon – Niger 2-0
Liberia – Mali 0-1
