Everton star Alex Iwobi has asked the fans to stick by the Super Eagles even after they suffered a shock 1-0 home loss to underdogs Guinea Bissau Friday.
Nigeria lost 1-0 at home to Guinea-Bissau in one of the biggest shocks in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying history.
“First and foremost, as players and staff, we know we have to react to this result,” Iwobi said after the Group A qualifier.
“All we can do is to improve and to all the fans, all I can say is that they should stick by us and support us because we give 100% not just for ourselves, but also for our nation.
“Next time we are going to do our best and make the country proud.”
Both teams will clash again Monday in Bissau in continuation of the qualifying series.
On Friday, Mama Balde, who plays for French top-tier club Troyes, scored on 30 minutes in Abuja to take the Djurtus (Wild Dogs) to the top of Group A.
Guinea-Bissau have seven points, Nigeria six, Sierra Leone two and Sao Tome e Principe one, halfway through the six-round mini-league. The top two finishers progress to the finals.
Nigeria, whose line-up included prolific Napoli scorer Victor Osimhen, were firm favourites to win at home and extend their advantage to five points.
But after a bright start, with Osimhen coming close to scoring on 16 minutes, the Super Eagles battled to create clear-cut scoring opportunities in the capital city.
As the match reached the half hour mark, Balde raced on to a lofted pass and fired a low shot past goalkeeper Francis Uzoho.
Guinea-Bissau nearly doubled their lead soon after, but Euciodalcio ‘Dalcio’ Gomes hit the side netting with the Nigerian defence in disarray.
Osimhen, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United or Arsenal, became increasingly frustrated as poor service and close marking restricted his threat.
