CAN 2023: Guinea-Bissau Has Also Qualified.

The Guinea-Bissau national football team, the “Djurtus”, have also already secured their presence in the final phase of the African Cup of Nations (CAN 2023) which will take place next year in Ivory Coast.

There is still hope for the teams from Mozambique and Angola, who will be able to ensure their presence in the top competition of African football if they reach a draw in the final round of the qualifiers, scheduled for September.

Triumph for Guinea-Bissau

The efforts of the Guinea-Bissau national football team were crowned with success. This small West African country, known for its passion for football, managed to secure its place in the finals of CAN 2023. This is a significant milestone, not only for the national team, but also for the nation as a whole, which unites in support and pride for your team.

This qualification was achieved after an intense match against São Tomé and Príncipe, which resulted in a 1-0 victory for Guinea-Bissau. The tension was palpable throughout the game, with both teams fighting hard to secure the win. However, it was Guinea-Bissau who emerged victorious thanks to a goal from Zinho Gano.

Zinho, an undisputed talent in the football scene, showed his skill and determination by scoring the only goal of the game, thus guaranteeing victory for his team. His performance has been praised by teammates and supporters alike, who see him as a crucial element in the team's success.

This victory is more than a simple step towards CAN 2023. It is a reflection of the hard work, passion and commitment of the Guinea-Bissau team, which is now preparing to face even tougher opponents in the final phase of the championship. With eyes on the future, Guinea-Bissau is ready to show the African continent and the world the power and quality of its football.

The promises of Baciro Candé

Since 2016, under the command of coach Baciro Candé, the Guinea-Bissau national football team has followed a path of remarkable growth, evidenced by its fourth consecutive participation in the CAN.

According to Candé, this is not a random success, but the result of continuous and persistent work, driven by the inclusion of players trained in Europe.

“It is the result of a lot of work since I took office in 2016, but also the entry of players trained in Europe has helped a lot”, he said.

This mix of local and international talent has strengthened the team, allowing them to take on opponents with confidence and resilience.

Candé also highlighted the team's determination to face its challenges and turn weaknesses into strengths, stating that the country "knows its weaknesses", but every time it faces any opponent "makes them strengths to win".

Looking to the future, Candé is confident that Guinea-Bissau has the potential to go beyond the CAN 2023 group stage which will take place between 13 January and 11 February 2024.

“We are going to correct the mistakes of the other participations and we are going to do everything to pass the group stage”, promised the selector.

To this end, Baciro Candé appeals for national unity around the selection and asks the football federation and the Government to organize preparation games, a strategy not yet adopted in previous editions of the CAN. This additional preparation, Candé believes, may be the key to Guinea-Bissau's unprecedented advance in the competition.

Mozambique and Angola on the cusp of CAN 2023

The national football teams of Mozambique and Angola are in a very promising position, being on the verge of qualifying for the final round of CAN 2023. This is an opportunity to raise the status of football in these countries to a new level, while prepare to compete against the best teams across the African continent.

Angola, after an energetic 2-1 win against the Central African Republic, are now in a comfortable position to secure their place in the finals. The Angolan national team, also known as “Os Palancas Negras”, has shown an impressive performance during the qualifiers, standing out for its grit and determination.

However, his trip to the final stage of CAN 2023 is not yet fully assured. The team only needs a draw in the last game to confirm its classification, a perfectly achievable goal, but one that requires total focus and preparation.

On the other hand, Mozambique, whose team is affectionately nicknamed “The Mambas”, is also on the verge of qualifying. After a series of well played games, Mozambique's fate will be decided in the last clash against Benin. The Mozambican team only needs a draw to guarantee its place, but it will certainly not settle for the minimum and will fight for victory.

This imminent classification represents more than a sporting achievement for both countries. It serves as a catalyst to unite nations around the love of football, strengthening a sense of national identity and providing a source of joy and pride for all citizens.

Whatever the end result, the performances of Mozambique and Angola during the CAN qualifiers serve as a testament to the talent, dedication and sportsmanship present in the football of these two countries. Everyone is looking forward to the next stages of this exciting journey.

Possible historic debut

If the predictions for Mozambique and Angola come true, it will be the first time that four teams from Portuguese-speaking countries reach the CAN finals together.

In an interesting turn of events, the national football teams of Mozambique and Angola are about to mark a shining page in the history of Portuguese-speaking football. If expectations are confirmed, we will witness a truly historic moment.

This significant milestone is not just a matter of honor for individual teams, but also a reflection of the evolution and growth of football in Portuguese-speaking countries. This represents an opportunity to assert its presence on the African football scene and to demonstrate the strength and resilience of Portuguese-speaking football.

The final round of CAN 2023, which will take place in Côte d'Ivoire in January and February of next year, promises to be an exciting spectacle. With the possible participation of four Portuguese speaking teams, the tournament will be full of emotion, fierce competition and, without a doubt, memorable moments that will celebrate the talent, passion and spirit of African football.

The eyes of the football world will be on the Ivory Coast as players prepare to compete on African football's most prestigious stage. Everyone looks forward to seeing if these four Lusophone nations will make history, setting a new standard for Portuguese-speaking football and creating a legacy that will inspire future generations.

This is an exciting time for Portuguese-speaking football and expectations are high. Regardless of the final result, the potential of a historic debut is already a cause for celebration and pride. We are all waiting to see if this historic moment will come true.

Conclusion

This is a critical and exciting moment for African Portuguese-speaking football. The possibility of four Portuguese-speaking teams being present in the final phase of CAN 2023 is not just a triumph for these teams, but a triumph for the Portuguese language and for the unity and brotherhood it represents.

This reinforces the idea that football is more than a game. It is a symbol of identity, a source of national pride and a means of uniting people from different backgrounds under a common purpose. Through football, barriers are broken and ties are strengthened.

Whatever the outcome, the prospect of having four Portuguese-speaking teams in the final round of CAN 2023 is already a victory in itself. This is an achievement that transcends sport, symbolizing the strength of Portuguese-speaking nations.

We are all looking forward to watching this historic competition and supporting these teams as they strive to achieve excellence on the African football scene. Whatever the outcome, it can already be considered that the Portuguese language and Portuguese-speaking African football have already won.

What do you think of this Guinea-Bissau victory? And the possibility of having 4 Portuguese-speaking countries in the CAN final? We want to know your opinion, do not hesitate to comment and if you liked the article, share and give a “like/like”.

Picture: © DR