Forget the usual “Nigeria are favourites” and “Guinea-Bissau are dangerous” talk.
There is actually plenty to make this AFCON qualifier interesting beyond the 90 minutes of football.
Nigeria are coming into the game after beating Madagascar 2-1, while Guinea-Bissau produced one of the results of Matchday 1 by beating co-hosts Tanzania 2-0 away from home. Guinea-Bissau currently lead Group L on goal difference.
So, before the Super Eagles fly to Bissau, here are 7 things you should know.
1. GUINEA-BISSAU IS ONE OF AFRICA’S SMALLEST COUNTRIES WITH A BIG STORY
Picture Credit: (cafonline.com)
Guinea-Bissau is a small West African country with a population of roughly two million people and an area of about 36,000 square kilometres.
But don’t let the size fool you.
The country has a fascinating mix of African, Portuguese and Creole influences. Portuguese is the official language, while Guinea-Bissau Creole is widely spoken.
And yes, there is a reason the country sounds a little different from many of its West African neighbours.
It was a Portuguese colony.
Guinea-Bissau declared independence from Portugal in 1973 and became formally independent in 1974.
So while Nigeria has the English connection, Guinea-Bissau brings a strong Lusophone flavour to this matchup.
2. GUINEA-BISSAU HAS ITS OWN MUSICAL IDENTITY AND ITS NOT AFROBEAT.
Picture Credit: (Worldly Rise)
Football isn’t the only thing bringing rhythm to this country.
Guinea-Bissau is strongly associated with gumbé, a highly rhythmic style of music that blends several of the country’s traditional musical influences.
The music is often performed in Guinea-Bissau Creole, and its lyrics can be humorous and connected to everyday life and current events.
So if the stadium starts making noise before kick-off, don’t be surprised.
These people have rhythm.
Nigeria came with Afrobeats.
Guinea-Bissau said: “Hold my gumbé.”
3. AND THEN THERE IS BETO & MAMA BALDÉ
Here are some names Nigerians should know.
Beto.
Picture Credit:(Own Goal Nigeria)
The Guinea-Bissau international is the striker who played for Everton in the Premier League before joining Fiorentina on 1st September transfer deadline day.
That means Guinea-Bissau can potentially put a top striker on the pitch against Nigeria.
Mama Baldé another exciting young forward who currently plays for French Ligue 1 side Brest.
Picture Credit: (Shtterstock Editorial)
And he isn’t some random international player.
Baldé came through Sporting CP’s system in Portugal before spells with Aves, Dijon, Troyes and Lyon. He also won the Portuguese Cup with Aves in 2018.
Against Tanzania, Baldé scored Guinea-Bissau’s second goal in their 2-0 victory.
So while everybody is talking about Nigeria’s attacking players, Mama Baldé is one name the Super Eagles cannot afford to ignore.
So this isn’t a team made up of players nobody has heard of.
There is serious European experience in that squad.
4. THE HEAD-TO-HEAD FAVOURS NIGERIA
Picture Credit: (The Independent)
The overall record between the two countries is currently three Nigeria wins and one Guinea-Bissau win, with no draws in the recorded meetings.
Nigeria’s wins include a 2-0 victory at AFCON 2022 and the 1-0 qualifier win in Bissau.
But that one defeat in Abuja is enough to serve as a warning.
5. MOSES SIMON HAS BEEN IMPORTANT IN THIS FIXTURE
Picture Credit: (Sport247 Nigeria)
Moses Simon scored the winning penalty when Nigeria beat Guinea-Bissau 1-0 in Bissau in March 2023.
Then, at the 2023 AFCON, Simon’s cross eventually resulted in the own goal that gave Nigeria another 1-0 victory over the Djurtus.
So if you’re looking for a player with a little bit of history in this particular matchup, Moses Simon is one to watch.
6. WHY ARE GUINEA-BISSAU CALLED THE “DJURTUS”?
Picture Credit: (BBC Naija Pidgin)
Before we wrap up, let’s talk about one of the coolest things about this matchup the nickname.
Guinea-Bissau’s national team is known as the “Djurtus,” a Portuguese word referring to the African wild dog.
And there is some serious symbolism behind that name.
African wild dogs are known for their speed, endurance and teamwork. They hunt in packs, communicate with each other and rely on collective effort to get the job done.
Sounds a bit like the way Guinea-Bissau want to play football, right?
They might not have the star power Nigeria have, but they can be difficult to break down when they play together as a unit.
So when you hear:
Super Eagles vs Djurtus
remember we’re talking about Eagles versus Wild Dogs
7. THIS GROUP IS ACTUALLY MORE COMPLICATED THAN IT LOOKS
Picture Credit: (Cafonline.com)
This is probably the biggest thing to know.
Tanzania are already guaranteed a place at AFCON 2027 because they are co-hosts.
That means in Group L, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar are effectively fighting for the remaining qualification place.
And after Matchday 1, Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria both have three points.
But Guinea-Bissau are sitting above Nigeria on goal difference after beating Tanzania 2-0, while Nigeria needed a comeback to defeat Madagascar 2-1.
So suddenly, this isn’t just:
Nigeria vs Guinea-Bissau.
It’s a very important early battle for control of Group L.
