Guinea-Bissau has displayed resilience in recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, securing consecutive appearances. Despite their nickname, the Djurtus (Wild Dogs), the team have yet to assert themselves in the competition.
Their first AFCON appearance was in 2017, where they held hosts Gabon to a 1-1 draw but ultimately bowed out in the first round after losses to Cameroon and Burkina Faso. In 2019, they faced Cameroon again, losing 2-0, but managed a goalless draw against Benin, their best result, before falling to Ghana.
In the 2021 edition, Guinea-Bissau faced a tough group with Egypt, Nigeria, and Sudan. A scoreless draw with Sudan was followed by losses to Egypt and Nigeria, resulting in another group stage exit.
The 2023 AFCON draws a challenging group for the Djurtus, facing hosts Ivory Coast, a star-studded Nigerian side, and group stage specialists Equatorial Guinea.
2023 AFCON Matches
Saturday, January 13: Ivory Coast v Guinea-Bissau
Thursday, January 18: Equatorial Guinea v Guinea-Bissau
Monday, January 22: Guinea-Bissau v Nigeria
Players to Watch
Piqueti:
- The most talented and crucial player for Guinea-Bissau.
- A 30-year-old forward playing in Saudi Arabia for Shoalah.
- Featured in all three AFCON editions for Guinea-Bissau, scoring one of the team’s two goals in AFCON history.
Jonas Mendes:
- The seasoned goalkeeper with extensive experience.
- A 34-year-old captain who has played for clubs in Portugal and Greece.
- Guinea-Bissau’s most capped player with 56 appearances.
Mama Baldé:
- An Olympique Lyon forward is expected to provide goals.
- The 28-year-old, with 21 appearances, will be crucial in navigating the tough group.
Coach – Baciro Candé
Baciro Candé, the 56-year-old coach, has been in charge since 2016, overseeing Guinea-Bissau’s three AFCON appearances. With his experience, Candé aims to guide the team through the tough competition.
Team Statistics:
Appearances so far: 3
Best Results: Group stage in 2017, 2019, and 2021
Most capped player: Jonas Mendes with 56 appearances
Captain: Jonas Mendes
Top scorer: Nando Co with 9 goals in 6 appearances
AFCON 2023 will take place from January 13, 2024 to February 11, 2023.
By Frank Appiah & Enoch Fiifi Forson