Zinho Gano scored twice on his competitive debut to ensure Guinea Bissau rallied from behind to thrash Sao Tome and Principe 5-1 to open their account in the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Thursday.

Guinea Bissau manager Baciro Cande decided to give some new guys a chance in his team as he handed competitive debuts to teenager Mamadi Camara, Portugal-born Dalcio Gomes and Zinho Gano.

After eliminating Mauritius in the preliminary round of the qualifiers, Sao Tome came into the game with some confidence. And it was them who struck first to open the scoring.

Edmilson Viegas found the back of the net to give the visitors the lead in the 21st minute. But the goal was cancelled five minutes later through Alfa Semedo with the youngster Camara being the creator.

Experienced forward Piqueti Djassi was the provider on two occasions for Gano who scored twice in 8 minutes to give the Djurtus advantage with the goals coming in the 50th and 58th minutes respectively.

Substitute Zidane Banjaqui increased the tally in the 81st minute before Jorginho Intima possibly sealed the victory for the Djurtus moments later at the Stade de Marrakech in Morocco.

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Meanwhile in the group’s other game, Nigeria had to fight back with goals from Victor Osimhen and Alex Iwobi to ensure a good start to their 2023 AFCON Qualifiers with a 2-1 victory against Sierra Leone.

Guinea Bissau will be leading the group standings on goals advantage with Nigeria in second place after first round fixtures.

Sierra Leone will host Guinea Bissau at the Stade General Lansana Conte in Conakry whereas Nigeria visit Sao Tome in the second round of matches next Monday.