The Guinea-Bissau national football team is the national team of Guinea-Bissau and is controlled by the Federação de Futebol da Guiné-Bissau. They are a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Nicknamed the ‘Djurtus’ (African Wild Dogs), Guinea Bissau will be making their debut appearance at the 2017 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon having withdrawn on three occasions – 1996, 2002 and 2004 and been banned in 1998 for their withdrawal in 1996.
Currently ranked position 68th in the world, the debutants will play host, Gabon in the opening game of the tournament and will know avoiding defeat will be a huge boost for their showing in Gabon.
Brief History
Guinea-Bissau with an estimated population of only 1.7 million,have punched above their weight to the top and their experience in Gabon will no doubt be an eye opener for the side. It will show the establishment of a new order in African football.
Former Portuguese international Paulo Torres started the reign of rebuilding Djuruts when he was appointed as the head coach in 2014 .He changed all of that as he looked to his homeland and the rest of Europe to find any player he could that qualified for the country.
During his tunure he has brought in some key performers to supplement their home-grown talent, which has been a major reason why they will be appearing at the finals.
After his reign the continuity was seen with appointment of current boss Baciro Candea who was appointed in February last year after Torres received a four-match ban from CAF for abusing a match official.
His record is now there to be seen and it started with wonderful result against Zambia in June.Indeed the team they fielded a full squad players plying their trade outside of the continent.
Squad overview
Galaxy of Djurtus stars most come from Portugal, Spain, Poland, France, Finland, Italy and even South Korea.
French-born Frederick Mendy is one of the high profile players in the squad.Toni Silva formelly with Benfica and previously played at Northampton Town, Barnsley and Dagenham & Redbridge in England is the other player who has brought pace in the squad.
The heart of Bissau midfield is mashalled by Bocundji Ca.Currently unattached, he serves as the team captain and his leadership skills are evident.Having grown in France, Ca has played in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 with Nantes and will be one of the players expected to shock Africa.
Idrissa Camara is another player that will raise opposition eyebrows. Being one of the experienced players in the squad, the midfielder plays for Avellino in Italy where he has dominated place in the first team.
Another player to watch is Erdison Mendes Umpeca currently with Portuguese side Freamunde provided most of the assists from the flanks that helped his team score in the decisive game against Zambia.
Afcon 2017 qualification
Their qualification encountered a challenge in the last matches when Zambia lodged a protest against the use of Senegalese-born goalkeeper Papa Fall in that match, but CAF upheld his right to play and the result stood .
Guinea-Bissau who had played just 32 competitive internationals before the Afcon 2017 qualifiers had a record of four wins, six draws and 22 losses.
Suprisingly they managed three victories and a draw in this campaign in a pool that included 2012 Nations Cup winners Zambia, ever-improving Congo-Brazzaville and Kenya.
Guinea-Bissau Afcon 2017 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)
