Sudan will go head to head with Guinea-Bissau in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group D match at the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua on Tuesday.
The Jediane Falcons are hoping to go all the way in this year’s tournament and clinch their second AFCON title having won the 1970 tournament.
The Djurtus have never won Africa’s prestigious title and the 2021 edition marks their third successive appearance, hoping to be “third time lucky” and go past the group stage for the first time.
Coached by experienced Baciro Cande, Guinea-Bissau will be confident of stunning the Sudanese when the two teams clash.
“We are proud to be returning to the Cup of Nations for the third time. This time we will do our best to improve on previous performances. We are in a tough group with heavyweights but we will give our best,” said coach Cande.
However, Guinea-Bissau are expected to be without their most influential players in Jonas Mendes, Jorginho Intima, Mimito Biai, Nanu, Leonel Alves and Alfa Semedo after the six tested positive for Covid-19 when they face CSudan.
Coach Cande will be hoping that the remaining 18 players at his disposal will step up in the absence of the abovementioned players as they look to avoid an upset against Jediane Falcons.
Sudan coach Burhan Tia is under pressure to guide the Jediane Falcons to the next round of the competition.
“We are in a tough group, but we are ready to fight and try to get to the next stage. We are of course delighted that Sudan is back for the first time since 2012 and we will do our best to represent the country well,” Tia said.
Meanwhile, the meeting will be the two sides fifth since 1977.
Guinea-Bissau hold a slight edge over Sudan with two wins, one defeats and two draws.
