Guinea-Bissau edged out Eswatini 1-0 in their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification Group I match at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro on Thursday night.
The win saw the African Wild Dogs start their qualifying campaign with a victory and they will be looking to make it two wins in a row in Group I when they take on Mozambique on Tuesday in Maputo.
Sihlangu Semnikati, on the other hand, will be licking their wounds after succumbing to a narrow defeat in Bissau and they will be hoping to secure their first victory in Group I when they host Mali on Tuesday in Mbombela, South Africa.
The African Wild Dogs dominated possession from the first whistle and they managed to break the deadlock in the 14th minute when Carlos Mane set up Bura who scored to hand Guinea-Bissau a well-deserved lead.
Bura inspires Guinea-Bissau to Eswatini win
— AfricanFootball.com (@AfrFootball) September 5, 2024
Guinea-Bissau secured a 1-0 win over Eswatini in their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification Group I match at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro on Thursday night.
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Sihlangu Semnikati pushed for the equalising goal after the half-hour mark, but the hosts' defence looked solid and impenetrable.
The score was 1-0 to Guinea-Bissau during the halftime break in Bissau.
The home side continued to control the match after the restart and coach Luis Boa Morte introduced Sambinha in the 64th minute as the African Wild Dogs refreshed their defence which looked organised and compact.
Attack-minded duo Andy Magagula and Mthokozisi Gwebu were both introduced by coach Zdravko Logarusic in the 70th minute as the visitors looked to snatch a late equalsing goal, but Guinea-Bissau stood firm at the back to secure a 1-0 win.
Guinea-Bissau (1) 1 (Bura 14')
Eswatini (0) 0
Guinea-Bissau: Manuel Baldé, Marcelo Djalo (Sambinha 64'), Opa Sangante, Nanu, Jefferson Encada, Alfa Semedo, Bura (S. Mane 75'), Carlos Mane (Dalcio 71'), Mama Balde (Jardel 75'), Zidane Banjaqui, Franculino Dju (Ze Tubo 73')
Eswatini: Mathabela, Masangane, Quiton, Matse, Ndzinisa (Gwebu 70'), N.S Dlamini (Mkhontfo 80'), Manana, Thwala, Figuareido (Magagula 70'), Matsebula, Gamedze
