Guinea-Bissau release final 25-man AFCON squad

Baciro Candé, the head coach of the Guinea-Bissau national football team, has officially released the final roster of 25 players selected to represent the nation at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations next month.

The Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau find themselves in Group A, where they will share the stage with host country Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Nigeria.

Their journey starts with a clash against the Elephants on January 13, followed by a potential winner-takes-all meeting with the Equatorial Guineans on the 18th. Finally, they face Nigeria’s Super Eagles in their third match.

For the challenge ahead, Guinea-Bissau coach Candé has chosen a squad of 25 players to defend the national colours in Ivory Coast.

The selected lineup comprises three goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders, and seven attackers.

Two of these players – Mama Baldé and Opa Sangante – are not unknown to Nigerians as they contributed to Guinea-Bissau’s surprise 1-0 win over the Super Eagles in March during the AFCON qualifiers.

Dunkerque midfielder Sangante provided the assist for Lyon forward Baldé to score the only goal of the encounter as Nigeria stumbled to a disappointing loss at the National Stadium in Abuja.

However, the Super Eagles returned the favour three days later as a Moses Simon penalty gave Nigeria a 1-0 win at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro in Bissau.

Nigeria would go on to win their five remaining games in the group and qualify for Ivory Coast 2023 as one of the best teams and the top attacking side.

The Super Eagles will aim to come out on top again when they face Guinea-Bissau on matchday three at the AFCON.

The 2023 edition of the tournament starts on January 13 and runs through to February 11, 2024.