Not being able to count on the most regular players like the experienced captain and goalkeeper Jonas Mendes on the substitutes’ bench, after having recovered from the Covid-19, Bissau-Guineans had a difficult start.
For their appearance in the AFCON finals, Jurtus were hoping for a better scenario.
Playing in solidarity and with many cautions, debutants Sudan did not guard themselves only on the defensive side. Striker Mohamed Yousif (8′) tried to surprise the opposite goalkeeper when he tried to introduce the ball into the net, but Maurice Gomis was ready to intervene.
Djurtus’ reaction came when Joseph Mendes, isolated and unmarked in the box, deflected the ball from the corner to one of the goalposts at Ali Aboeshren’s goalkeeper. A fear that forced increased attention from one of the teams representing Lusophony.