National Thunder out to strike African Wild Dogs

Equatorial Guinea will battle it out with Guinea-Bissau in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Group A match at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on Thursday.

Kick-off is at 4pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

CURRENT FORM

The National Thunder are currently placed third on the Group A table having begun their group stage campaign with a 1-1 draw with a much-fancied Nigeria side on 14 January.

The draw extended Equatorial Guinea's impressive unbeaten run to 11 matches across all competitions - drawing six games and winning five. 

Meanwhile, Guinea-Bissau got off to a losing start in Group A as they suffered a 2-0 loss to hosts Ivory Coast on 13 January and they placed fourth on the group standings.

The African Wild Dogs are now winless in their last two matches across all competitions having registered two consecutive defeats. 

TEAM NEWS

The two teams are yet to report injuries and both sides have no suspension concerns coming into this encounter.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Equatorial Guinea head coach Juan Micha

“I think this selection that I lead is prepared day by day to compete in this tournament… I am lucky to know the details of football having been a high-level player [Jesus Owono],” Micha said.

“Our mission is not complete, we still have a lot to do. We are in the group stage, this is the first match. We will try to reach the next stage before seeing what happens next.”

Guinea-Bissau head coach Baciro Cande

"We played our game. We had a good chance with Mama Balde but we didn't finish it. We created chances but the goals did not materialise,” Cande said.

"We have to make up for our mistake by working towards the next games. There are still six points to play for and I believe anything is possible."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Emilio Nsue, Equatorial Guinea: With 17 goals from 41 matches for the National Thunder, the 34-year-old player has what it takes to inspire his nation to a victory over Guinea-Bissau.

Mama Balde: The African Wild Dogs will look to the hard-working attacker to score goals against Equatorial Guinea and he recently grabbed a morale-boosting goal in a friendly against Mali.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau have met twice across all competitions.

The African Wild Dogs are undefeated against the National Thunder having won both games.

The last meeting between the two teams ended in a 2-0 win in favour of Guinea-Bissau in a friendly match played in Portugal in March 2022.