Djurtus look to challenge heavyweights Senegal
GUINEA-Bissau will look to punch above their weight when they take on heavyweights Senegal in the resumption of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers today.
Guinea-Bissau find themselves third in the Group I standings, with a 3-0 home win over Eswatini followed by a 3-0 loss away to Congo in successive games last November – with the latter clash being their last outing, as they were inactive in the past two international breaks.
Djurtus coach Baciro Cande insists his side is not intimidated by facing one of the continent’s top teams in Senegal: “It will be a matter of national pride because we are also keen to take on Senegal, which remains a great football nation,” he explained.
“It is a challenge for us to challenge them, but also to seek them out. Guinea-Bissau is rising more and more and trying to play its part in the elite of African football.”
Senegal, unsurprisingly, top the pool with a full haul of six points, having comfortably beaten Congo (2-0 at home) and Eswatini (4-1 away) when the group stage got underway a year ago.
The Teranga Lions, though, were beaten 3-1 by Morocco in a friendly played last month, a result which could serve as the perfect wake-up call ahead of returning to competitive action.
Coach Aliou Cisse’s selection for this clash is headlined by major European-based stars Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly, but also other interesting picks, including a return for the first time since 2016 for Arial Mendy and new faces such as Moustapha Name and Franck Kanoute.
“The objective is to qualify for Afcon 2022, it is being prepared today while continuing in our guideline. But also bringing new blood, quality and competition to the team,” explained Cisse.
He added, “The match against Morocco also gave us indications. We are in difficult times, we still have in some positions, boys who have difficulty finding significant playing time [at their clubs] to return to the national team.” The teams will meet again on 15 November in Bissau for the return leg