Super Eagles: Beto & 3 Guinea-Bissau players who can hurt Nigeria

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Guinea-Bissau in their second 2027 AFCON qualifier tomorrow, with several Djurtus players capable of causing problems for Eric Chelle’s men, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria will enter the contest with confidence after recovering from a goal down to beat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo, but Guinea-Bissau also made an impressive start by defeating Tanzania 2-0 away from home.

The Djurtus have several attacking players who can exploit Nigeria’s weaknesses, with Beto, Franculino Djú, Mama Baldé and Renato Nhaga among the players the Super Eagles will need to monitor closely.

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Guinea-Bissau players who can hurt the Super Eagles

1. Beto (Fiorentina)

Beto is the most physically imposing threat Nigeria will have to deal with in Bissau. The 28-year-old striker completed a permanent move from Everton to Fiorentina in September and while he’s without a goal in the Serie A this season, his importance goes beyond goals for the Djurtus.

Beto was involved in the build-up to Franculino Djú’s opener during the 2-0 victory over Tanzania, showing how the Djurtus can use his physical presence to play directly and bring other attackers into the game.

Nigeria’s centre-backs, most likely Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey, will have to be prepared for aerial and physical battles, particularly when Guinea-Bissau decide to bypass the midfield.

If Beto can win the first contact and hold the ball up, the spaces created around him could give Franculino and Mama Baldé opportunities to attack Nigeria’s defence.

That could be a major problem for the Super Eagles if they commit too many players forward.

2. Franculino Djú (Trabzonspor)

Franculino Djú is another player Nigeria cannot afford to overlook after the forward opened his account in Guinea-Bissau’s first qualifying match.

The 22-year-old scored in the 33rd minute against Tanzania after being set up by Beto, giving the Djurtus the lead in what eventually became a comfortable 2-0 victory.

The goal also underlined the importance of his movement around Beto. Franculino is capable of operating from wider positions and attacking spaces around a central striker, which could make him difficult for Nigeria’s defenders to track if Beto occupies their attention.

The forward was productive for FC Midtjylland this season, scoring two goals and providing two assists in four Conference League games before sealing a move to Trabzonspor, scoring on his Super Lig debut against Genclirbiligi.

3. Mama Baldé (Brest)

Mama Baldé is the Guinea-Bissau player Nigeria have the strongest reason to fear based on recent history. The Brest forward scored the second goal in the Djurtus’ 2-0 victory over Tanzania, finishing from Dalcio’s pass in the 58th minute.

Baldé famously scored the only goal when Guinea-Bissau defeated the Super Eagles 1-0 in Abuja during the 2023 AFCON qualifiers.

The 30-year-old therefore has already demonstrated that he can punish Nigeria in this fixture. His versatility is another concern for Nigeria because he can operate from flank and move into central positions.

The Super Eagles will need to prevent him from receiving the ball in dangerous areas, particularly when Guinea-Bissau transition from defence into attack.

4. Renato Nhaga (Galatasaray)

Renato Nhaga may not have the experience or goalscoring record of Beto and Baldé, but his inclusion is based on the qualities he can bring to Guinea-Bissau’s midfield.

The 19-year-old midfielder recently made his UEFA Champions League in Galatasaray’s loss to Sporting CP, and has continued to earn opportunities in a squad filled with established international players.

For Guinea-Bissau, his value is more about his ability to connect midfield with the attacking players. Against Tanzania, Nhaga started and played 70 minutes as the Djurtus controlled the game after taking the lead.

His presence gives Guinea-Bissau another player capable of carrying the ball forward and supporting their attacking transitions, although he’s also very comfortable making things tick and tidy for the Wild dogs in the middle of the park.

The solution to Nhaga’s threat is to prevent the youngster from having too much time on the ball, especially if Chelle’s team pushes its full-backs high up the pitch.

The teenager may not be the headline name in the Guinea-Bissau squad, but his energy and ability to link play could become important if the hosts manage to force Nigeria into a midfield battle.

Beto’s physical presence, Franculino’s movement, Baldé’s goalscoring threat and Nhaga’s ability to support the midfield give the Djurtus several ways of hurting the three-time African Champions.