By Ebenezer Bajela
Fans and people familiar with football in Guinea-Bissau have shared different views as the country’s national team prepares for their double-header Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Nigeria on Friday and March 27, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Eagles are scheduled to play the Djurtus in a two-legged affair as they bid to book their place at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast next year.
The first leg holds at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja Friday, before the Eagles travel to Guinea Bissau for the second three days later.
The Wild Dogs were initially scheduled to arrive in Nigeria on Tuesday, but landed in Nigeria on Wednesday following flights from Bissau to Senegal and Togo, before hitting Abuja.
While the two countries are set to face off on Friday, Bissau Guineans are divided over expectations from the team.
Eph Råim believed the Djurtus don’t have what it takes to stand the star-studded Eagles.
“Nigeria will beat Guinea-Bissau home and away. Nigeria is a legend, Guinea-Bissau is too tiny for Nigeria,” he wrote on the Guinea-Bissau Football Federation Facebook page on Wednesday.
Carlos Alberto Gomes Jr. added, “Honestly these players are travelling all week and playing on Friday in those conditions, you can’t ask for anything.”
Expressing his doubts over the team’s performance ahead of the game, Aylton Rhymman was of the opinion that in-form Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will make an easy ride of the team.
He wrote, “Victor Osimhen won’t forgive this unorganised selection.”
Mouhamadou Kalloga Sylla added, “With this kind of condition. Don’t expect anything.”
“Guinea Bissau’s situation is too shameful. Unable to get a direct flight to Nigeria but from Senegal to Togo. Until when?” Gahucho Kutubo Camara asked.
Echoing the voice of other fans, Hubert Gomis said, “I asked myself the same question, there are very modern lands at iba mar diop, total shame for the Federação de Futebol da Guiné-Bissau.”
Despite the uncertainty expressed by fans, there were several others who believed that the Wild Lions may spring up a surprise.
Nanque Nanque said, “Come on Djurtus, we will have three points in Nigeria!”
“Stay strong boys, Guinea Bissau is always in the first place even with difficulties made by our leaders but you have always fulfilled your commitments to these people you are true heroes and we believe in you,e in you,” Hélder A. Có said.
Staying positive ahead of the game, Amado Naiaia wrote, “I’ve learned in life that we should speak what we think and we should also mind what we speak. We all need each other and I back our boys for victory.”
Januário Djono simply said, “Strength to our soccer heroes.”
Nelson Gaspar also remained positive about the team’s chances against Nigeria.
“Forca “CANDY DJURTUS” we will win this game in Nigeria.”
Both sides last squared off at the last AFCON in Cameroon, with the Eagles coming out on top.
Goals from Sadiq Umar and William Troost-Ekong helped the three-time Africa champions edge the Djurtus 2-0 in Garoua, Cameroon.
Source: The Punch