Chukwuma Akuneto, Manchester City U-17s Head Coach, has posited that a lack of planning and preparation were the reasons the Super Eagles lost 3-0 to Guinea-Bissau in Tuesday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying Group L Matchday 2 game in Bissau, Completesports.com reports.
Akuneto also believes that the embarrassing performance and defeat in Bissau have put the Super Eagles’ qualification for the 2027 AFCON at risk.
Super Eagles Lacked Adequate Preparation
“We simply did not plan and prepare effectively for the game and it showed in what we were able to deliver as a team on the maximum,” Akuneto told Completesports.com.
“The manner in which we conceded defeat is worrying, going forward.”
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle had cited the poor condition of the turf at the 20,000-capacity Estadio Nacional 24 de Setembro, as well as the inclement weather, as reasons the three-time African champions lost so heavily in a game that has now put their 2027 AFCON qualification at risk.
“Part of our preparation is to know the state of the surface you are going to play on and plan accordingly with tactics and personnel,” the former Oldham Athletic U-19s head coach submitted.
“The pitch having an effect on the game is a complete lack of good management in my own opinion.”
Nigeria Face AFCON 2027 Qualification Pressure
The result leaves Nigeria second in the Group L, with Guinea-Bissau top on six points following a 2-0 away win against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in the Matchday 1 fixture.
Trailing Guinea-Bissau with three points, Akuneto said the Super Eagles are now “treading on a keg of gunpowder”, with the potential risk of failing to qualify for the AFCON 2027, especially as only one team will earn qualification from the group.
“I hope we qualify, but until we start navigating our games with a little bit more attention to details, (big and small), we might get stuck at the end of the day,” he concluded.
