No captain as Sao Tome ready for Afcon qualifier

Tiny Sao Tome e Principe will have to do without injured captain Jocy for their African Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau next Wednesday with coach Adriano Eusébio freshening up the squad as the island nation look for a first win in Group A.

Sao Tome will take a 20-man squad to Bissau for their Lusophone derby clash, ceding home advantage to their opponents because they do not have a suitable venue to host the game.

Sao Tome did the same thing when they were in the same group with South Africa in the previous Cup of Nations qualifying competition.

Eusébio named new goalkeepers Albertino Cosme and Pedro Mateus and midfielders Negrito and Pirlo in the squad.

Goalkeepers Albertino and Tavinho, who were between the sticks for the last two qualifiers against Sierra Leone in March, were dropped.

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Albertino Cosme (UDRA), Pedro Mateus (Sanjoanense, Portugal)

Defenders: Ricardo Fernandes (Estoril Praia, Portugal), Jú (UFC Moitense, Pretugakl), Adjeil Neves (Oriental Dragon, Portugal), Adjakson Ramos (Lusitano Evora, Portugal), Roger (SC Praiense, Portugal), Ivonaldo Viegas (Bombom),

Midfielders: Denilson Silva (Mazara, Italy), Negrito (Porto Real Prince), Lúcio Oliveira (GD Lagoa, Portugal), Marco Paulo (Real SC, Portugal), Pirlo (UDRA), Tinho” (Desportivo 6 September), Yay (LGC Moncarapachense, Portugal)

Forwards: Ronaldo Afonso (Benfica Castelo Branco), Gue (Skelleftea, Sweden), Luis Leal (Arsenal Sarandia, Argentina), Kelve Semedo (Academic Viseu, Portugal), Harrimiz Soares (União Torrense, Portugal).