Super Eagles Guinea-Bissau clash will be officiated by Ethiopian referee Tewodros Mitiku as Nigeria target another AFCON 2027 qualifying win

Tewodros Mitiku of Ethiopia will referee Nigeria’s Super Eagles against Guinea-Bissau at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro in Bissau on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, as both sides meet in a crucial Group L Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifier.

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The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has appointed an all-Ethiopian refereeing team for the encounter, which will kick off at 4pm local time, 5pm in Nigeria.

Mitiku will be assisted by compatriots Fasika Biru Fasika and Tigle Belachew, who will serve as the first and second assistant referees respectively. Manuhe Woldetsadik has been appointed as the fourth official.

Senegalese official Yaya Balde will act as match commissioner, while former Gambian FIFA referee Papa Bakary Gassama has been appointed referee assessor.

The appointment comes as the Super Eagles prepare for an important away fixture after both Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau opened their qualifying campaigns with victories.

Nigeria defeated Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo on Friday, September 25, recovering from an early deficit through George Ilenikhena before Moses Usor completed the comeback in the second half.

Guinea-Bissau also made a winning start, recording a 2-0 away victory over Tanzania. Franculino and Mama Baldé scored for the Djurtus in the second half of the opening Group L fixture.

The result leaves both teams on three points, with Guinea-Bissau currently ahead on goal difference.

The match therefore carries significant early importance as both sides seek to strengthen their position in the qualifying race.

Nigeria arrived in Bissau on Sunday evening ahead of the encounter, with the Nigeria Football Federation calling for full concentration against what it described as a strong Guinea-Bissau side.

Acting NFF General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme urged the players to maintain their focus throughout the 90 minutes.

“Our focus and concentration must be one hundred percent for the entire 90 minutes, because Guinea Bissau is a very strong team in every way you look at it,” Ikpeme said.

The fixture also brings back memories of recent meetings between the two countries. Nigeria have won three of their four official senior encounters, although Guinea-Bissau recorded a notable 1-0 victory in Abuja during the 2023 AFCON qualifying campaign.

Nigeria responded by winning the return fixture in Bissau by the same scoreline, with Moses Simon converting a penalty.

The teams also met at the 2021 AFCON finals in Cameroon, where Nigeria secured another narrow victory.

Nigeria will again have to manage without Victor Osimhen, who was ruled out of the opening two qualifiers while recovering from a muscle injury. The Nigeria Football Federation subsequently brought Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi into the squad as his replacement.

Despite Osimhen’s absence, Eric Chelle’s side began the campaign positively, with new international George Ilenikhena and debutant Moses Usor making decisive contributions against Madagascar.

The Super Eagles Guinea-Bissau encounter carries added significance because Tanzania, one of the co-hosts of AFCON 2027 alongside Kenya and Uganda, has already qualified automatically for the tournament.

That means Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar are effectively competing for the qualifying position available to the highest-ranked non-host team in Group L.

With both Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau starting with three points, Tuesday’s meeting offers an early opportunity for either side to establish an comeback against Madagascar and negotiate a difficult away fixture under the watch of Mitiku and his Ethiopian important advantage.

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For the Super Eagles, the immediate objective will be to build on the comeback against Madagascar and negotiate a difficult away fixture under the watch of Mitiku and his Ethiopian officiating team.