Iwobi captain Super Eagles against Guinea-Bissau as Nigeria seek a second win in their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign

Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi will captain Nigeria’s Super Eagles against Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the Estádio 24 de Setembro in Bissau, as Éric Chelle’s side seek another important result in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Also read: Super Falcons Name 28-Player Squad for Comoros

Iwobi’s elevation comes with regular captain Wilfred Ndidi reportedly starting on the bench, handing the 30-year-old midfielder the responsibility of leading a reorganised Nigerian side in their second Group L fixture.

The decision gives Iwobi another significant milestone in an international career that has now passed the 100-cap mark. He made his 102nd appearance for Nigeria in the opening qualifier against Madagascar.

The Fulham midfielder is part of an increasingly experienced group of senior Super Eagles players.

His international career has seen him feature across several midfield roles, while his versatility has made him a regular option for successive Nigeria coaches.

Nigeria began the qualifying campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo on Friday. Madagascar took an early lead before debutants George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor scored to secure all three points for the Super Eagles.

The result provided Chelle with a positive start to his first competitive qualifying campaign with Nigeria, although the performance also underlined the need for greater consistency as the team moved quickly into the next fixture.

Guinea-Bissau also opened their campaign with a victory, defeating Tanzania 2-0. That result means Tuesday’s meeting carries added significance, with both teams entering the encounter on three points.

The Super Eagles will also have to manage the absence of Victor Osimhen, who was ruled out of both September qualifiers after suffering a muscle injury while playing for Galatasaray.

The 27-year-old striker was initially included in Chelle’s squad before the injury was confirmed.

Osimhen’s absence has placed greater emphasis on the other attacking options available to Chelle, including Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare and the newly introduced Ilenikhena and Usor.

Chelle had originally named a 24-man squad for the two qualifiers, with Iwobi, Ndidi, Osimhen, Lookman and Simon among the established names included.

The squad also contained several newer options as the coach began shaping his team for the qualification campaign.

Nigeria’s preparations began in Akwa Ibom, where 20 players initially reported to camp before the squad was completed.

Iwobi was among the early arrivals as the team prepared for the demanding sequence of matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

The fixture in Bissau also presents a different challenge from the opening home match.

The Super Eagles have had limited time to recover and prepare between the two fixtures, while Guinea-Bissau enter the contest with confidence after their victory over Tanzania.

There have also been concerns within the Nigerian camp about the playing surface at the Estádio 24 de Setembro, adding another variable to an already demanding away assignment.

For Iwobi, the captaincy provides an opportunity to combine his experience with a greater leadership responsibility at a critical point in Nigeria’s qualifying campaign.

The Super Eagles are pursuing qualification for the 2027 AFCON, which will be hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Tanzania’s status as one of the co-hosts also affects the qualifying dynamics in Group L, leaving Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar competing for the available qualifying place.

With three points already secured, Nigeria will be seeking another positive result in Bissau.

Also read: Super Falcons Name 28-Player Squad for Comoros

For Iwobi, the night will carry an additional personal significance as he leads the three-time African champions into battle for the first time in this qualifying campaign.