Skip to content

Chelle Faces Selection Headache As Super Eagles Prepare For Guinea-Bissau

Eric Chelle faces selection concerns as Nigeria prepare for Guinea-Bissau, with George Ilenikhena doubtful and Victor Osimhen unavailable.

Add us as a preferred source on Google (opens in a new tab)

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle faces a selection headache ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday.

Nigeria head into the second Group L fixture with three points after coming from behind to defeat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo.

George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor scored on their Super Eagles debuts to secure the victory, but Chelle could be forced to make changes to his attack.

Ilenikhena is doubtful for the Guinea-Bissau clash after training separately from the main group. The 18-year-old forward will need to be assessed before the final decision is made on his availability.

Akor Adams is also facing a fitness concern after he was among the players who trained separately following the Madagascar match.

Victor Osimhen remains unavailable after suffering a right thigh muscle strain earlier in September. The Galatasaray striker was already ruled out of both September qualifiers.

Chelle could therefore turn to experienced options such as Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Taiwo Awoniyi and Tolu Arokodare.

Usor has also given the coach another option after making an immediate impact against Madagascar. The LASK forward came off the bench and scored the winning goal just minutes later.

The Super Eagles will need another strong performance in Bissau, with Guinea-Bissau also entering the fixture on three points after defeating Tanzania 2-0 away from home.

Nigeria currently sit second in Group L on goal difference, while Guinea-Bissau lead the standings.

With Tanzania already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON as co-hosts, only one qualification ticket is available from the group.

Chelle has stressed that Nigeria will not underestimate Guinea-Bissau and wants his players to approach the match with a strong mentality.

The Super Eagles are seeking consecutive victories as they continue their campaign for a place at the tournament.

About the author

I’m a sports journalist and blogger with a strong passion for football, covering news, match analysis, and transfer updates. Over the years, I’ve focused on delivering clear, engaging, and insightful content for fans who want more than just headlines... I hold a degree in Computer Science from Kampala University, which helps me bring a more analytical and data-driven approach to my work... Beyond writing, I’m always exploring new ways to grow in sports media and connect with a wider audience.

A NextFrame Publishing Group brand