Former Green Eagles goalkeeper Etta Egbe has delivered a critical assessment of Nigeria’s 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau, insisting the Super Eagles did not produce the hunger or determination required to deserve anything from the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
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Nigeria travelled to Bissau hoping to build on their opening 2-1 victory over Madagascar, but Eric Chelle’s side were comprehensively beaten as Franculino Djú, Mama Baldé and Álvaro Djaló scored for the hosts.
For Egbe, the problems went far beyond the condition of the playing surface.
The former Iwuanyanwu Nationale goalkeeper acknowledged concerns surrounding the pitch at the 24 September Stadium but refused to make it the central explanation for a result in which Guinea-Bissau competed under exactly the same conditions.
“I don’t want to blame the pitch,” Egbe said. “We didn’t show enough hunger and determination to win that game.”
His concerns extended particularly to Nigeria’s defensive performance.
Egbe believes the Super Eagles were exposed in the wide defensive areas and singled out the struggles of both full backs as one of the weaknesses Guinea-Bissau successfully exploited.
“Both full backs didn’t have a good game,” he observed, arguing that Nigeria allowed the hosts too much freedom to attack their defensive structure.
Chelle himself acknowledged after the match that Guinea-Bissau displayed greater aggression and personality, while Nigeria struggled to find answers once the hosts imposed themselves on the contest.
For Egbe, however, the defeat should also reopen the conversation about personnel.
The former international believes Nigeria need to continue introducing younger, hungrier players capable of increasing competition within the squad and demonstrating a stronger desire to represent the country.
That argument comes after newcomers George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor made immediate impacts in the previous match against Madagascar, scoring the goals that completed Nigeria’s 2-1 comeback.
The Bissau result leaves the Super Eagles with three points from two qualifiers and increases the importance of their remaining four Group L fixtures.
Egbe believes recovery will require more than tactical adjustments.
Nigeria need players prepared to fight for every ball and every shirt because, in his assessment, the hunger shown in Bissau simply was not enough.
