Guinea-Bissau forwards Beto and Álvaro Djaló have admitted that Nigeria will present a tough challenge but remain optimistic that the Djurtus can claim all three points when both teams meet in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at the 24 de Setembro Stadium on Tuesday (today).
Guinea-Bissau will be hoping to continue from their impressive 2-0 away win against Tanzania in their opening Group L fixture, while Nigeria enter the encounter after defeating Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo.
Fiorentina striker Beto did not feature against Tanzania, remaining on the bench throughout the match, while Djaló was introduced in the second half in place of Franculino, who opened the scoring.
Speaking following Sunday’s training session, Beto said the victory over Tanzania had lifted the team’s confidence but acknowledged that facing Nigeria would be a much tougher test.
“The victory against Tanzania gave confidence to the group, but the game against Nigeria will be completely different. We need to forget what has already happened and concentrate fully on this challenge, because it will be even more difficult,” Beto said via Guinea-Bissau newspaper O Democrata GB.
“We have to raise our concentration and focus levels.”
The striker recognised the quality possessed by the Super Eagles but said he was confident in Guinea-Bissau’s preparations, squad and technical team.
“We are taking this game very seriously because we know that we will face a strong team, with players of great quality. However, our group is very well, confident and working intensely.
“We have been evolving game after game and I fully believe in the group, in the coaching staff and in our ability to make a good result.”
Djaló, who plays for Athletic Bilbao, also underlined Guinea-Bissau’s determination to collect maximum points in every match as they pursue qualification for the 2027 AFCON.
“We hope to win the three points because our goal is to win every game. We are very confident and I feel the team is very motivated for this match against Nigeria,” Djaló said.
Tuesday’s encounter will be the fifth meeting between the two countries, with Nigeria having the upper hand in their two most recent clashes.
Guinea-Bissau, however, recorded a notable 1-0 victory over the Super Eagles in Abuja during the first leg of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, with Mama Baldé scoring the decisive goal.
Nigeria responded in the return fixture in Bissau, where Moses Simon converted a 30th-minute penalty to give the Super Eagles a 1-0 victory.
