What makes the ‘Wild Dogs’ tick

GUINEA-BISSAU, the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations debutants who face Bafana Bafana in a friendly tomorrow afternoon, have shown a gradual improvement since shocking the continent by finishing top of their qualification group ahead of the 2012 champions Zambia, Congo-Brazzaville and Kenya.

The SA Football Association said it targeted the West Africans as ideal preparation for Bafana’s back-to-back 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Cape Verde in late August and early September. because of their Portuguese influence. Guinea-Bissau will give Bafana a stern test.

Here is why:

The “Wild Dogs” (Guinea-Bissau’s nickname), were pronounced the biggest movers of 2016. By December last year, they had climbed 78 places in just 12 months, which explained why their first-time appearance at the Afcon in January was no fluke. At Afcon they finished bottom of Group A, no embarrassment considering the fact that they had to face hosts Gabon, Burkina Faso and eventual champions Cameroon.

Several key men based in Portugal have shaped coach Baciro Cande’s approach. If you want the best summary of Guinea-Bissau’s identity, look no further than one of the stunning goals of Afcon 2017, where Piqueti gave his side a shock lead against Cameroon in their second Group A game, which they went on to lose 2-1. The goal was a beauty – characterised by speed as Piqueti ran from his own half to the Cameroon box, strength as he shrugged off defenders and impeccable vision slot the ball home. Bafana beware.

Francisco Junior made his debut for Guinea-Bissau at Afcon in Gabon, plaing all three matches.

The 25-year-old had only shortly before been recruited, because of his roots in West Africa, after playing for the Portugal Under-19s and Under-21s. Junior is currently on the books of Norwegian club Stromsgodset.