AFCON 2027: Super Eagles warned against underrating Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau – ‘stubborn opponents’

The technical director of the Nigeria Football Federation, Austin Eguavoen, has warned that the Super Eagles must not relax after being drawn in what many fans believe is a comfortable group for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Afrik-Foot reports.

Nigeria were drawn alongside Tanzania, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in Group L during Tuesday’s ceremony held at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters in Cairo. The qualification series will determine places for the 2027 AFCON tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda between June 19 and July 17, 2027.

Although many supporters immediately tipped Nigeria to finish top of the group, Eguavoen believes the fixtures will be far more difficult than they appear on paper.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday, the former Super Eagles captain insisted that recent meetings against all three opponents prove there are no easy games in African football anymore.

Coach Eric Chelle (centre) of Super Eagles. Copyright: xVictor-OguegbexIMAGO

“A lot of people think it’s an easy group, but I don’t think so,” he said.

“However, considering our pedigree and our performance at the last AFCON, where we did brilliantly well, I believe we can scale through.

“We just have to approach it one game at a time.

Nigeria enter the qualifiers with a strong historical record against their opponents, but recent encounters have shown signs of danger. Against Tanzania, the Super Eagles remain unbeaten in eight meetings, recording five wins and three draws.

Their most recent clash came during the AFCON group stage in December 2025 at the Fez Stadium in Morocco, where Nigeria claimed a tense 2-1 victory. Semi Ajayi opened the scoring in the 35th minute before Tanzania responded through Charles M’Mombwa shortly after the restart. Ademola Lookman then restored Nigeria’s advantage in the 51st minute to seal victory.

Before that encounter, Nigeria had struggled to break down Tanzania during the 2017 AFCON qualifiers. A goalless draw in Dar es Salaam was followed by a narrow 1-0 win in Uyo, settled by Kelechi Iheanacho’s powerful long-range strike.

Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman of Nigeria Super Eagles. Photo by: ImagoxVictor Ihechi

Eguavoen recalls difficult Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar battles for Super Eagles

Eguavoen particularly pointed to Guinea-Bissau as proof that Nigeria cannot afford complacency. The former defender was head of the coaching crew that faced the Djurtus at the 2021 AFCON tournament in Cameroon, where the Super Eagles won 2-0 but still faced stubborn resistance.

“I remember Guinea-Bissau gave us a run for our money. They are not a bad side at all,” he recalled.

“When Jose Peseiro was in charge, it was also a very tight game, although we eventually overcame them.”

Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau have developed a fierce rivalry in recent years. In March 2023, Guinea-Bissau stunned the Super Eagles with a shock 1-0 victory in Abuja during the AFCON 2023 qualifiers. The defeat silenced the Moshood Abiola Stadium crowd and raised serious concerns about Nigeria’s qualification hopes at the time.

However, the Super Eagles responded quickly three days later in Bissau, where a Moses Simon penalty secured a 1-0 away victory. The two teams met again at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire in January 2024, with Nigeria grinding out another narrow 1-0 win after defender Opa Sanganté accidentally turned Simon’s dangerous cross into his own net.

Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi for Super Eagles. Copyright: Imagoxshengolpixsx

Eguavoen also warned that Madagascar remain capable of causing another major upset. The island nation produced one of the biggest shocks in AFCON history when they defeated Nigeria 2-0 during the 2019 tournament in Egypt. Lalaina Nomenjanahary and Carolus Andriamatsinoro scored the goals that handed Madagascar a famous victory and exposed Nigeria’s defensive weaknesses that evening.

“Madagascar is another hard nut to crack. They are a good side that has improved and evolved seriously.

“Tanzania will also be stubborn opponents. We met them at the last AFCON, and they were tough in the first 15 to 20 minutes before we eventually came out on top.

“I still believe we will qualify, but it is going to be a very tough group.”

Eguavoen currently combines his duties as NFF technical director with his role as senior adviser to Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle.

The 2027 tournament, officially tagged ‘PAMOJA 2027’, comes from the Swahili word meaning “together” and symbolises unity among the East African host nations. It will also be the first AFCON tournament to be hosted by three countries and the first staged in East Africa since 1976.