AFCON 2025
Nigeria’s 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday was about more than missed chances. The Super Eagles enjoyed spells of possession and created opportunities at the Estádio 24 de Setembro, but they lacked the cutting edge and control needed to turn that pressure into goals.
No Nigerian starter reached a rating of 6.6, with Ademola Lookman, Wilfred Ndidi and Taiwo Awoniyi among the lowest-rated players after a disappointing night for Éric Chelle’s side.
Stanley Nwabali was Nigeria’s highest-rated starter, while Alex Iwobi and Akor Adams were among the few players to emerge with some credit. Chelle’s substitutions injected more energy after the break, but they could not change the result.
Here is how the Super Eagles players rated:
Stanley Nwabali -6.5
Nigeria’s highest-rated player on the night, although that says plenty about the overall performance. Nwabali had little chance with Franculino Djú’s curling opener and was beaten again for Guinea-Bissau’s second and third goals.
He made important saves from Beto before half-time and Mama Baldé after the break, but his distribution did little to help Nigeria establish control from the back.
Bright Osayi-Samuel – 6.2
Starting ahead of Ola Aina at right-back, Osayi-Samuel struggled to contain Guinea-Bissau’s threat down his side. Baldé got the better of him in the build-up to the second goal, while his attacking contribution was limited.
It was an evening when Nigeria’s full-backs offered too little going forward and were repeatedly tested defensively.
Semi Ajayi – 6.3
Ajayi was competitive in the air and made several clearances, but Nigeria’s defensive organisation was far from convincing.
He was not directly responsible for the opening goal, yet the centre-back pairing struggled to deal with Guinea-Bissau’s movement and counter-attacking threat.
Calvin Bassey – 6.0
Bassey endured a difficult evening as Guinea-Bissau increasingly found space through the middle and down Nigeria’s left.
He was booked late and struggled to impose himself as the hosts repeatedly attacked Nigeria’s defensive structure.
Bruno Onyemaechi – 6.3
Onyemaechi had an uneven night at left-back. Guinea-Bissau found room on Nigeria’s left in the build-up to the opening goal, while his contribution in attack was limited.
His rating was respectable on paper but did little to disguise Nigeria’s problems in the wide areas.
Frank Onyeka – 6.1
Onyeka struggled to give Nigeria control of midfield during the opening 45 minutes and was withdrawn at half-time.
He did have a chance to respond before the break, hitting the side-netting, but otherwise found it difficult to influence the game.
Wilfred Ndidi – 5.9
One of Nigeria’s poorest performers and the lowest-rated midfielder.
Ndidi failed to provide the protection Nigeria needed in front of the defence and struggled to dictate the tempo once the Super Eagles fell behind.
He was eventually replaced by Raphael Onyedika after 75 minutes, but by then Nigeria were already chasing the game.
Alex Iwobi – 6.4
One of Nigeria’s few bright spots.
Iwobi created the Super Eagles’ clearest first-half opportunity when he picked out Lookman, only for goalkeeper Manuel Embadjé to make the save.
He consistently made himself available for the ball and tried to move Nigeria forward, although his creativity ultimately produced little on the scoresheet.
Ademola Lookman – 5.7
Lookman was the lowest-rated Nigerian starter.
The Atalanta forward had Nigeria’s major opportunity in the first half but could not beat Embadjé. He struggled to find space as Guinea-Bissau crowded him out and was replaced by Tolu Arokodare around the 68th minute.
For a player expected to provide Nigeria’s attacking spark, it was a frustrating evening.
Akor Adams – 6.4
Adams was arguably Nigeria’s most effective attacking player before his substitution.
He offered a physical presence against the Guinea-Bissau defence and remained involved in Nigeria’s attacking play. He was replaced by George Ilenikhena with around 15 minutes remaining.
He could not produce a goal, but he was far from Nigeria’s biggest problem.
Taiwo Awoniyi – 5.9
Awoniyi endured a particularly difficult first half and was replaced at the interval by Moses Simon.
The striker struggled to provide a consistent outlet, with his hold-up play and presence inside the penalty area failing to trouble the Guinea-Bissau defence enough.
His selection ahead of Ilenikhena will inevitably attract attention after Nigeria failed to score.
The substitutes
Moses Simon and Moses Usor were introduced at half-time and gave Nigeria greater width and attacking energy. Both forced saves from Embadjé but could not find the breakthrough.
Tolu Arokodare replaced Lookman and offered a more physical presence, although he could not produce a decisive moment.
George Ilenikhena came closest to scoring after the break when Embadjé denied him in the 85th minute.
Raphael Onyedika replaced Ndidi with 15 minutes remaining, but had little time to change the outcome.
The result leaves Nigeria on three points from two Group L matches, while Guinea-Bissau move to six points.
The 3-0 scoreline will dominate the headlines, but Chelle will also have to examine the selection decisions and the failure to turn Nigeria’s attacking pressure into goals before the next qualifying assignment.
