Group D wraps up its opening round of games at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations when Sudan and Guinea-Bissau face off in the late match on Tuesday. A young Sudanese side is looking towards the future under coach Burhan Tia but the Falcons are still capable of inflicting damage on their best day. Guinea-Bissau are eager to impress and make it beyond the group stage for the first time on their third AFCON appearance, but will have a few key players missing.
Sudan have been going through a miserable patch of form, failing to win in all of their competitive matches since defeating Libya in FIFA Arab Cup qualifying back in June. Following poor performances in FIFA World Cup qualifying and at the Arab Cup final tournament, local coach Tia is in for Frenchman Hubert Velud and the new coach has removed many veterans who played key roles in AFCON qualifying for younger talent. Tia and captain Salah Nimr declared their intentions to do the country proud in its first AFCON appearance in ten years. Watch out for Al-Hilal Omdurman forward Mohamed Abdel Rahman, who scored both goals in Sudan’s 2-4 World Cup qualifying defeat against Guinea-Bissau in September.
The Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau were competitive in their first two AFCON appearances, but are setting their goals higher for 2021 than the previous group stage exits in 2017 and 2019. Guinea-Bissau know their opponents well from World Cup qualifying, where the West African nation came out with a 4-2 victory and a 0-0 draw. Manager Baciro Cande will have six players missing due to Covid-19, and the absences are notable for a match where the Djurtus need three points. Key central midfielder Alfa Semedo, starting right back Nanú, attacker Jorginho and goalkeeping captain Jonas Mendes will all be missing for selection.
Preview articles from CAF’s website and Africanews are below followed a Voice of America report in Portuguese on the full list of players who will be missing for Guinea-Bissau.
