A 55th-minute goal by Belgium-based forward Zinho Gano was enough for Guinea-Bissau to secure a 1-0 win over Sao Tome and Principe and also take a temporary lead ahead of Nigeria in Group A of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
After a goalless first half, Gano scored the only goal of the game 10 minutes into the second half as the Djurtus completed a comprehensive double over the bottom-placed team in the group.
Baciro Cande’s side are now a point above Nigeria in the qualifiers with 10 points from five matches and are on course for their fourth appearance at the AFCON.
A win for Nigeria over Sierra Leone on Sunday in Liberia will return the Super Eagles to the top of the table. Nigeria are currently second with nine points from four games, while Sierra Leone are third with five points from four matches as well.
The Leone Stars will be fired up to be back in contention for a place in Ivory Coast 2023 after falling to a 2-1 defeat in the first leg of the encounter in Abuja last year.
Before then, they famously came from 4-1 down to draw 4-4 with the Super Eagles at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City in the 2021 AFCON qualifying match and few days later, held the Eagles to a barren draw at the Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown.
