Guinea-Bissau’s danger-man Mama Baldé will be the biggest threat Nigeria’s Super Eagles must be wary off when the two nations meet in Bissau on Tuesday, Footynaija reports.
Baldé will lead the attack for the Djurtus as they tackle the Super Eagles on matchday two of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The 30-year-old Brest forward is one goal away from drawing level with Guinea-Bissau legend Nando Có as the nation’s all-time leading scorer, giving Tuesday’s AFCON 2027 qualifier against Nigeria an intriguing personal subplot.
Baldé has scored eight times in 37 senior appearances for the Djurtus, with his goals spread across World Cup qualifying, AFCON qualifying and friendly football. His international breakthrough came against Sudan in September 2021, before he struck the decisive goal in Nigeria’s 1-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in Abuja on March 24, 2023.
That Abuja goal is the warning Nigeria cannot ignore. Baldé collected Opa Sanganté’s long ball and beat Francis Uzoho in the 29th minute, exploiting space behind the Super Eagles defence to settle a match in which Guinea-Bissau had only 31 per cent possession.
His latest goal came just four days ago, when he struck in the 58th minute of Guinea-Bissau’s 2-0 victory over Tanzania in Zanzibar. That result put the Djurtus top of Group L on goal difference, level with Nigeria on three points.
Baldé has now scored for Guinea-Bissau in four consecutive calendar years, while his record against Nigeria already carries a painful memory for the Super Eagles. One goal on Tuesday would pull him alongside Có. Two would make him the outright record holder.
Nigeria therefore face a threat wrapped in opportunity. Give Baldé room and the Super Eagles could become the backdrop to another piece of Guinea-Bissau football history.
Related Post
