Guinea-Bissau name 46-man provisional squad for 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Tanzania and Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau head coach Emiliano Té has announced a provisional squad of 46 players for the Djurtus’ opening matches in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The squad includes several experienced players based across Europe, Africa, Asia and the United States as Guinea-Bissau prepare for a challenging start to their qualifying campaign.

The Djurtus will begin their campaign away from home against Tanzania on September 25, with the match scheduled to take place at the Amaam Stadium in Zanzibar.

They will then return home just two days later to face the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Estádio 24 de Setembro in Bissau on September 27.

Coach Emiliano Té has opted for a large provisional squad as he assesses his options ahead of the two fixtures, with competition for places expected to be intense across all areas of the team.

The squad features a strong contingent of players based in Portugal, reflecting the close footballing links between Guinea-Bissau and the Portuguese football system.

Among the goalkeeping options are Manuel Baldé of Trofense, Manuel Djalo of Balzan, Fernando Embaude of Lugo, Aureliano Martins of Casa Pia and João Safina Monteiro of São João Ver.

The defensive department includes Gilberto Batista of Moreirense, Adramaner Cassama of AC Oulu, Jefferson Encada of Estrela Amadora, Vladimir Mendes of Botev Plovdiv, Elyadjah Mendy of Nancy, Fallou Mendy of Royal Armed Forces and Nanu of Iraklis.

There is also considerable experience in midfield, with Panutche Camara of Dundee United, Dalcio Gomes of APOEL Nicosia, Alfa Semedo of Al-Fayha and Ronaldo Vieira of San Jose Earthquakes among the players named.

The attack boasts some of Guinea-Bissau’s most recognisable names. Mama Baldé of Stade Brest, Beto of Fiorentina, Álvaro Djaló of Athletic Bilbao, Franculino Dju of FC Midtjylland and Flávio Silva of Kaizer Chiefs are all included.

The presence of players competing in some of Europe’s major leagues gives Guinea-Bissau plenty of attacking options ahead of their opening qualifiers.

With such a large pool of players available, Emiliano Té will now have to trim the provisional list before the final squad is confirmed.

Guinea-Bissau will be hoping to make a strong start against Tanzania before facing Nigeria two days later, in what promises to be a demanding opening to their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.

Guinea-Bissau Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers: Manuel Balde (Trofense, Portugal), Manuel Djalo (Balzan, Malta), Fernando Embaude (Lugo, Spain), Aureliano Martins (Casa Pia, Portugal), Leo Mendes (Villarrobeldo, Spain), João Safina Monteiro (São João Ver, Portugal), Ricardo Té (Sport Bissau Benfica).

Defenders: Gilberto Batista (Moreirense, Portugal), Sene Camara (Sanjoanenses, Cape Verde), Adramaner Cassama (AC Oulu, Finland), Sandro Embalo (Bengaluru, India), Jefferson Encada (Estrela Amadora, Portugal), Ivano Inbeni (Penafiel, Portugal), Etivaldo Mendes (UDIB), Feliciano Mendes (Amarante, Portugal), Vladimir Mendes (Botev Plovdiv, Bulgaria), Elyadjah Mendy (Nancy, France), Fallou Mendy (Royal Armed Forces, Morocco), Victor Rofino (União Leiria, Portugal), Mauro Teixeira (Botev Plovdiv, Bulgaria), Nanu (Iraklis, Greece), Opa Sangate (Dunkerque, France), Marcelo Vaz (Genoa, Italy).

Midfielders: Amadu Balde (Leixoes, Portugal), Dai Balde (Rio Ave, Portugal), Zidane Banjaqui (Ararat, Armenia), Jorge Braima (Lusitano, Portugal), Mamadi Camara (Kayserispor, Turkey), Panutche Camara (Dundee United, Scotland), Dalcio Gomes (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus), Fuscano Gomes (Sport Bissau Benfica), Nito Gomes (Amarante, Portugal), Vladimir Antonio Mendes (Canchungo), Renato Nhaga (Galatasaray), Braima Sambu (Mafra, Portugal), Alfa Semedo (Al-Fayha, Saudi Arabia), Edson Silva (Botev Plovdiv, Bulgaria), Ronaldo Vieira (San Jose Earthquakes, USA).

Forwards: Mama Balde (Stade Brest, France), Beto (Fiorentina, Italy), Iaia Manco Danfa (Borussia Mönchengladbach, Germany), Álvaro Djaló (Athletic Bilbao, Spain), Tcherno Djamanka (FC Porto, Portugal), Danio Djassi (Portimonense, Portugal), Franculino Dju (FC Midtjylland, Denmark), Sana Fernandes (Juve Stabia, Italy), Henry Lamine Mohamed (Sport Bissau Benfica), Tamble Monteiro (Rio Ave, Portugal), Flavio Silva (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Danilson Tavares (Union Touarga, Morocco), Abrao Té (Cupelum).