Guinea-Bissauvs.Mozambique

Match preview

Guinea-Bissau have taken part in each of the last four Africa Cup of Nations finals, albeit all ending in group-stage exits, and would have fancied their chances of making it five outings in a row nonetheless.

Luis Boa Morte's men got themselves off to a bright start by narrowly beating Eswatini 1-0 in their opening qualifier on September 5, when Bura's 14th-minute strike proved to be the deciding moment in a tight affair.

The Wild Dogs then suffered 2-1 and 1-0 defeats to Mozambique and Mali respectively to leave their continental hopes hanging by a thread midway through the qualifying campaign.

Guinea-Bissau have since played out stalemates against Mali and Eswatini to sit third in Group I with five points from as many matches, three points shy of Mozambique in second and a further three behind leaders Mali.

Tuesday's hosts will now go in search of a much-needed victory in front of their fans if they are to keep their AFCON streak alive and avoid missing out for the first time since 2015.

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After making their return to the AFCON stage during the most recent tournament in Ivory Coast earlier this year, Mozambique began their quest to secure a second straight ticket with a 1-1 draw against Mali.

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Having thrown away a lead in their opening encounter against Mali, Chiquinho Conde's men would not be denied all three points in their subsequent outing against Guinea-Bissau which ended in a narrow 2-1 win.

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Os Mambas picked up four points from a possible six across both of October's meetings against Eswatini, with a 1-1 draw in the first leg preceding a 3-0 triumph in the reverse fixture three days later.

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Within touching distance of a place in next year's continental event, Mozambique welcomed Mali to Estadio do Zimpeto on Friday but would go on to suffer a 1-0 loss thanks to Kamory Doumbia's early opener.

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Despite amassing eight points from their five matches so far, Tuesday's visitors still have work to do heading into their final qualifying matchup, where a defeat could spell the end of their AFCON ambitions.

Guinea-Bissau Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:

W

L

L

D

D

Guinea-Bissau form (all competitions):

D

W

L

L

D

D

Mozambique Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:

D

W

D

W

L

Mozambique form (all competitions):

W

D

W

D

W

L

Team News

With just 141 minutes of AFCON qualifying action under his belt, Carlos Mane has racked up one goal and an assist apiece, making him one to keep a close watch on.

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Mane will be pushing for a place in the lineup, and any introduction to the XI would likely have to come at the expense of 25-year-old Zidane Banjaqui.

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Everton forward Beto is still awaiting his first strike for the away side having only just made his first appearance in October's narrow 1-0 defeat versus Mali.

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Reinildo Mandava put on a man-of-the-match display for Mozambique in the last meeting between Tuesday's opponents and will be aiming to deliver the goods once again.

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Even at the age of 41, Domingues Pelembe continues to go on strongly for the away side following his record-extending 117th appearance against Mali last time out.

Guinea-Bissau possible starting lineup:

Mo Balde; Cande, Rofino, Sangante, Nanu; Semedo, S Mane, Dalcio; C Mane, Beto, Ma BaldeÂ

Mozambique possible starting lineup:

Ernani; Langa, Reinildo, Mexer, Matola; Nene, Guima; Catamo, Domingues, Bauque; Ratifo

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We say: Guinea-Bissau 2-1 Mozambique

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