With a place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on the line, Guinea-Bissau will entertain the challenge of Mozambique in their final qualifying fixture at Estadio 24 de Setembro on Tuesday evening.
The hosts will need to win to stand any chance of leapfrogging their visitors into second place in Group I, while the away side simply need to avoid defeat to book a place in Morocco next year.
Match preview
© Imago
Guinea-Bissau have taken part in each of the last four Africa Cup of Nations finals, albeit all ending in group-stage exits, and they would have fancied their chances of making it five outings in a row nonetheless.
Luis Boa Morte's men got themselves off to a bright start by narrowly beating Eswatini 1-0 in their opening qualifier on September 5, when Bura's 14th-minute strike proved to be the deciding moment in a tight affair.
The Wild Dogs then suffered 2-1 and 1-0 defeats to Mozambique and Mali respectively to leave their continental hopes hanging by a thread midway through the qualifying campaign.
Guinea-Bissau have since played out stalemates against Mali and Eswatini to sit third in Group I with five points from as many matches, three points shy of Mozambique in second and a further three behind leaders Mali.
Tuesday's hosts will now go in search of a much-needed victory in front of their fans if they are to keep their AFCON streak alive and avoid missing out for the first time since 2015.
© Imago
Â
After making their return to the AFCON stage during the most recent tournament in Ivory Coast earlier this year, Mozambique began their quest to secure a second straight ticket with a 1-1 draw against Mali.
Â
Having thrown away a lead in their opening encounter against Mali, Chiquinho Conde's men would not be denied all three points in their subsequent outing against Guinea-Bissau, which ended in a narrow 2-1 win.
Â
Os Mambas picked up four points from a possible six across both of October's meetings against Eswatini, with a 1-1 draw in the first leg preceding a 3-0 triumph in the reverse fixture three days later.
Â
Within touching distance of a place in next year's continental event, Mozambique welcomed Mali to Estadio do Zimpeto on Friday but would go on to suffer a 1-0 loss thanks to Kamory Doumbia's early opener.
Â
Despite amassing eight points from their five matches so far, Tuesday's visitors still have work to do heading into their final qualifying matchup, where a defeat could spell the end of their AFCON ambitions.
Team News
© Imago
With just 141 minutes of AFCON qualifying action under his belt, Carlos Mane has racked up one goal and an assist apiece, making him one to keep a close watch on.
Â
Mane will be pushing for a place in the lineup, and any introduction to the XI would likely have to come at the expense of 25-year-old Zidane Banjaqui.
Â
Everton forward Beto is still awaiting his first strike for the away side having only just made his first appearance in October's narrow 1-0 defeat versus Mali.
Â
Reinildo Mandava put on a man-of-the-match display for Mozambique in the last meeting between Tuesday's opponents and will be aiming to deliver the goods once again.
Â
Even at the age of 41, Domingues Pelembe continues to go on strongly for the away side following his record-extending 117th appearance against Mali last time out.
Guinea-Bissau possible starting lineup:
Mo Balde; Cande, Rofino, Sangante, Nanu; Semedo, S Mane, Dalcio; C Mane, Beto, Ma BaldeÂ
Mozambique possible starting lineup:
Ernani; Langa, Reinildo, Mexer, Matola; Nene, Guima; Catamo, Domingues, Bauque; Ratifo
Â
We say: Guinea-Bissau 2-1 Mozambique
Guinea-Bissau will need to be fully up for the clash as only a win would see them make it through to the 2025 AFCON.
Â
The onus is undeniably more on the home side, and we can see them getting the job done in front of their fans, albeit only just.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adepoju Marvellous
