Guinea-Bissau have named their final 23-man squad for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt.
Veteran midfielder Jorginho Barbosa, who plays for Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia, was left out of the final squad made up of entirely overseas-based players.
Fulham defender Marcelo Djalo, who was first called up in March for the Nations Cup qualifier against Mozambique but did not make his debut, has been included in the squad.
Guinea-Bissau coach Baciro Cande named his final squad after Djurtus lost 2-0 to fellow finalists Angola in a friendly in Portugal on Saturday.
“I’m disappointed we lost the game, but we created a lot of good chances. We have to work now on using the possession better and not over-elaborating so much on the ball,” said Cande.
“There are 15 days until our first game. We are better than three days ago and we will be better in three days.”
The Djurtus will continue their preparations in Porto ahead of the finals that kick-off on 21 June.
Guinea Bissau will play their opening match against the Indomitable Lions at Ismailia Stadium on 25th June.
Djurtus have been drawn in Group F alongside five-time champions Cameroon, Ghana and Benin for the Africa biggest football tournament.
Guinea-Bissau squad:
Goalkeepers: Jonas Mendy (AC Viseu, Portugal), Rui Camara Dabo (Favbril, Portugal), Gregory Gomis (Al Arabi SC, Qatar)
Defenders: Rudinilson Silva (FK Kaunas Zal, Lithuania), Marcelo Djalo (Fulham FC, England), Juary Soares (CD Mafra, Portugal), Tomas Dabo (FC Riete, Italy), Eulanio Gomes (Maritimo, Portugal), Tomas Dabo (FC Riete, Italy)
Midfielders: Soriano Mane (Cova de Piedade, Portugal), Jose ‘Zezinho’ Lopes (FC Senica, Slovakia), Jorge Nogueira (Desportivo Das Aves, Portugal), Joao Jaquite (Tondela, Portugal), Moretto Cassama (Stade de Reims, France), Pele (Monaco, France)
Forwards: Piqueti Djassi (Al Shoulla FC, Saudi Arabia), Toni Silva (Attihad, Egypt), Mama Balde (Des Das Aves, Portugal), Romario Balde (AC Coimbra, Portugal), Frederic Mendy (Setubal, Portugal), Joseph Mendy (Ajaccio, France)
