Guinea Bissau Coach Asserts Confidence Ahead of AFCON Clash Against Nigeria’s Super Eagles

• The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is entering the final round of the group-stage clash
• The Super Eagles of Nigeria are ready to face off against struggling Guinea Bissau
• The Djurtus' coach has spoken about his side’s chance against the Super Eagles

The 34th edition of the continent’s biggest footballing showpiece, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has proven to be a riveting affair.

The competition, laced with a multitude of the continent's footballing stars, has unfolded as anything but predictable. Despite high expectations for several teams, the tournament has defied the odds, with several favoured teams struggling to make an impact in their initial matches.

Amongst the teams yet to get off the mark in Ivory Coast are the Djurtus of Guinea Bissau. The West African nation have failed to secure a victory in their opening two fixtures and are on the cusp of first-round elimination from the AFCON.

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Nevertheless, as they brace for a decisive final group stage clash against Nigeria, and with their AFCON dreams hanging by a thread, coach Baciro Cande has issued a resolute message to the Super Eagles, emphatically underscoring that his team is far from being pushovers.

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In his final pre-match press conference ahead of the crunch tie against Jose Peseiro’s side, the 56-year-old, talking tough, stressed his team are no pushovers.

Quoted by Brila.net, he stated:

"We are excited to play a good match. We have one match to close the first phase of the competition, and we will do everything to have a good game."

"It will be difficult, but we will do everything possible. We want to have our first AFCON win."

"I trust in my team; we want to have a good performance. Mentally, we are strong; we are here because we are here because we are good. We have a good qualifying phase."

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"We know it will be very difficult, but we are prepared to get the win. We will make things difficult for them," he said.

The words of the Guinea Bissau manager serve as a rallying cry for his team, who aspire to clinch one of the best loser spots in the round of 16. Cande's confidence is also bolstered by his team's previous victory against Nigeria in March 2023 at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

Peseiro speaks on Guinea Bissau showdown

Sports Brief in another report stated Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has outlined his team’s plan for the crucial AFCON clash against Guinea Bissau.

The former Sporting CP manager stressed that his team were focused on securing a victory and aim to finish top of their group ahead of Ivory Coast.