Nigeria 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau and Ghana’s 4-2 defeat to The Gambia leave both West African sides under early pressure in AFCON 2027 qualifying

Nigeria suffered a damaging 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in Bissau on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, while Ghana surrendered a two-goal lead before losing 4-2 to The Gambia in Accra, leaving both West African sides facing an early setback in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

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The results provided a dramatic contrast to the opening round, when Nigeria recovered from an early deficit to beat Madagascar 2-1 and The Gambia defeated Somalia by the same scoreline.

Guinea-Bissau, meanwhile, followed up their 2-0 away victory over co-hosts Tanzania with another impressive performance, while The Gambia made it two wins from two matches.

Nigeria’s 3-0 loss was sealed by goals from Franculino Djú, Mama Baldé and Álvaro Djaló.

Franculino opened the scoring after 15 minutes before Baldé doubled the hosts’ advantage in the second half.

Djaló then completed the emphatic victory in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

The result was particularly significant for Guinea-Bissau because Tanzania are already guaranteed a place at the 2027 finals as co-hosts.

Only the highest-placed non-host nation in Group L will join Tanzania at the tournament.

Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar are therefore effectively competing for a single qualifying place in the group.

Nigeria had started their campaign positively against Madagascar. Ehsan Kari gave Madagascar the lead before George Ilenikhena equalised and Moses Usor completed Nigeria’s comeback in the second half.

The defeat in Bissau, however, means the Super Eagles now have three points from their opening two matches, with Guinea-Bissau taking maximum points from both fixtures.

Ghana experienced an even more dramatic collapse against The Gambia.

The Black Stars appeared to be in control after Ernest Nuamah converted a penalty in the 27th minute and Felix Afena-Gyan added a second six minutes later.

The Gambia responded before half-time. Muhammed Badamosi pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 37th minute before Omar Colley equalised five minutes later.

Ebrima Colley then completed the turnaround in the 68th minute before adding another goal in stoppage time to secure a 4-2 victory.

The result leaves The Gambia on six points from two matches. The side had opened the campaign with a 2-1 victory over Somalia.

Ghana, by contrast, have lost both of their opening Group C matches. The Black Stars began with a 2-0 defeat against Côte d’Ivoire before the latest loss to The Gambia.

The contrasting fortunes underline the importance of the next stage of the qualifying campaign.

While Guinea-Bissau and The Gambia have made perfect starts, Nigeria and Ghana must now recover points as the race develops.

Elsewhere, Rwanda also maintained a perfect record by beating Cape Verde 2-1 away in Group K.

Cape Verde took the lead through Benchimol before Claude Niyomugabo equalised in first-half stoppage time. Elie Iradukunda Tatou then completed Rwanda’s comeback seven minutes after the interval.

Rwanda had opened the campaign with a 3-1 victory over Liberia and now have six points from two matches.

Zambia also responded to an opening-day defeat by beating Togo 2-0 in Group I.

Albert Kangwanda opened the scoring after three minutes before substitute Eliya Mandanji sealed the points in stoppage time.

Uganda recorded their first victory of the campaign with a 1-0 win over Libya.

Arnold Vula scored in first-half stoppage time to give the co-hosts four points from two matches.

The 2027 AFCON qualifiers feature 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four.

The teams finishing first and second in groups without a co-host will qualify for the finals, while Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are already assured of places as the tournament’s co-hosts.

In groups containing a host nation, only the highest-ranked non-host side will qualify.

The qualifying campaign will now pause before Matchdays Three and Four during the FIFA international window from 9 to 17 November 2026.

The final two rounds are scheduled for 22 to 30 March 2027.

For Nigeria, the heavy defeat in Guinea-Bissau provides an immediate test of their ability to respond after a promising opening victory.

Ghana face an even steeper challenge after beginning their campaign without a point.

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With the qualifying race still in its early stages, Tuesday’s results have created a compelling divide between the teams that have seized the initiative and those already looking for a way back into contention.