Guinea-Bissau national soccer team the Djurtus departed for Gabon on Monday to participate in their first Africa Cup of Nations AFCON, that runs from January 14 to February 5 this year.
The players bid farewell to their fans before departure, where the bus carrying the players passed through diffrent streets of capital Bissau before heading back to the team’s Plaza do Imperio Hotel at the heart of the city.
From the hotel the players went straight to Osvalso Vieira International Airport in Bissau where the Guinea-Bissau football federation president, Manuel Lopes, met the team before their departure.
Head coach Baciro Cande who will be debuting with the team at the biggest continental stage, remained optimistic for a positive result in the first game aganist the hosts Gabon on 14th January.
Earlier on Guinea Bissau players had threatened not to travel to Gabon citing unpaid allowances.Three players representing the team had talks with country’s President Vaz, though it was not clear if they had received any of the promised payments.
Guinea Bissau’s government had also promised to pay for tournament preparations but the team have not played any warm-up friendlies or travelled outside the country for a promised training camp.
Travelling squad:
Goalkeepers: Jonas Mendes (Salgueiros, Portugal), Rui Dabo (Cova da Piedade, Portugal), Papa Massé Mbaye Fall (Aguadulce, Spain)
Defenders: Emmanuel Mendy (Ceahlaul, Romania), Rudinilson Silva (Lechia Gdansk, Poland), Juary Soares (Mafra, Portugal), Agostinho Soares (Sporting Covilha, Portugal), Mamadu Candé (Tondela, Portugal), Eridson Mendes Umpeça (Freamunde, Portugal)
Midfielders: Nani Soares (Felgueiras, Portugal), Jose Mendes Lopes Zezinho (Levadiakos, Greece), Bocoundji Ca (Reims, France), Tony Silva Brito (Levadiakos, Greece), Toni Silva (Levadiakos, Greece), Piqueti Djassi Brito (Braga), Idrissa Camara (Avellino, Italy), Jean Paul Mendy (US Quevilly-Rouen, France), Francisco Santos Junior (Strømsgodset, Norway), Lassana Camara Sana (Académico de Viseu, Portugal)
Forwards: Joao Mario Fernandes (Chaves, Portugal), Abel Issa Camara (Belenenses, Portugal), Amido Baldé (CS Marítimo, Portugal), Frederic Mendy (Ulsan Hyundai, South Korea)
