Captain Jonas Mendes of Guinea-Bissau has been selected for the 25-man team for the tournament in Ivory Coast next month, meaning he will play in his fourth consecutive African Cup of Nations finals, authorities said on Sunday.
Despite playing in a World Cup qualifier last month, top Ligue 2 striker Alexandre Mendy has declined a call-up. Mendy is the top scorer in the French second division with 12 goals for Caen.
Since making their debut in 2017, Mendes, 34, has maintained a goal in all but two of the nine games the tiny West African nation has played in the finals.
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The sole notable absence from coach Balde Cande’s squad, who is taking the helm for the fourth time in a row, is Mendy.
Defensor Edgar Ie, who only had one appearance for Portugal in 2017, is also included. Since it was a friendly international, he was free to return to his native nation. In June, the 29-year-old made his debut for Guinea-Bissau.
Ze Turbo, a striker with a base in Russia, is back after missing out on the World Cup qualifying matches last month.
The team will assemble in Bissau on January 2 to begin pre-tournament preparations, and on January 6, they will play a friendly match in Bamako against Mali.
In the tournament’s opening encounter on January 13, Guinea-Bissau plays the hosts, Ivory Coast. In Group A, Guinea-Bissau also plays Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria.
GUINEA-BISSAU 25-Man Squad
Goalkeepers:
Ouparine Djoco (Royal Francs Borains), Fernando Embadje (Alcanenense), Jonas Mendes (Kalamata, Greece)
Defenders:
Fali Cande (Metz), Marcelo Djalo (Palencia), Jefferson Encada (Pharco), Edgar Ié (Basaksehir), Houboulang Mendes (Almeria), Nanu (Samsunspor), Nito (Maritimo), Opa Sangante (Dunkerque)
Midfielders:
Janio Bikel (Gaziantep), Morreto Cassama (Omonia Nicosia), Dalcio (Apoel Nicosia), Carlos Mane (Kayserispor), Sori Mane (Academico Viseu), Carlos Mendes (Bolton Wanderers), Mauro Rodrigues (Yverdon Sport), Alfa Semedo (Al Tai)
Forwards:
Mama Balde (Olympique Lyonnais), Franculino (Midtjylland), Zinho Gano (Zulte Waregem), Famana Quizera (Academico Viseu), Marciano Sanca (Almeria), Zé Turbo (FC Pari Nizhniy Novgorod).