Guinea-Bissau vs eswatini

On Thursday, Guinea-Bissau and Eswatini will kick off their campaigns for a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with an exciting clash at the Estadio 24 de Setembro. Both teams are eager to secure qualification for the prestigious tournament, and the match promises to be a thrilling start to the journey.

For Guinea-Bissau, this match offers a chance to return to winning ways after recent disappointments, including a frustrating 1-1 draw against Egypt in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Meanwhile, Eswatini, known as the Sihlangu Semnikati, are aiming to make history by qualifying for their first-ever AFCON. They will be eager to start their campaign strongly after a difficult year, and Thursday's encounter gives them the perfect opportunity to do so.

Guinea-Bissau: A Struggle for Consistency

Guinea-Bissau's recent performance in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers shows a team with potential, but one that is struggling to maintain consistency. In their latest outing against Egypt on June 10, they played out a 1-1 draw. Mama Balde, the talented forward who plays for Brest in Ligue 1, gave Guinea-Bissau the lead right before half-time. However, a late strike from Mohamed Salah ensured that Egypt walked away with a point.

This result leaves Guinea-Bissau in second place in Group A of the World Cup qualifiers with six points from four games. While they remain unbeaten, having drawn three and won one, head coach Luis Boa Morte will be looking to turn these draws into wins as they aim to continue their push for a spot at the global event. However, before focusing on World Cup qualification, they must first turn their attention to AFCON, where they have experienced mixed fortunes.

Guinea-Bissau's AFCON history shows a team that has consistently qualified in recent years but has failed to make a significant impact in the tournament. Their last appearance at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast ended in disappointment, with the team losing all three group-stage matches and finishing at the bottom of Group A. This marked their fourth consecutive group-stage exit, a trend they are desperate to break.

Despite their struggles in major tournaments, Guinea-Bissau will take some confidence into Thursday's match, knowing that they have a strong recent record against Eswatini. In their last two AFCON qualifiers against the Southern African nation, they won both matches comfortably, scoring six goals and conceding just once.

Eswatini: Aiming to Make History

On the other side of the pitch, Eswatini enter the 2025 AFCON qualifiers with a point to prove. The Sihlangu Semnikati have never qualified for the continental tournament, and head coach Dominic Kunene will be hoping to guide them to their first-ever appearance at AFCON.

However, Eswatini’s recent form does not bode well for their chances. Their performance in the COSAFA Cup in July was disappointing, as they were eliminated in the group stages for the second consecutive year. Despite two goalless draws against Botswana and Mozambique, they were defeated 1-0 by South Africa in a must-win group-stage match, which saw them finish third in Group A with just two points from three games.

Eswatini's struggles have not been limited to regional competitions. Their performance in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers has been equally poor, with the team losing all four of their matches. They have conceded six goals and only managed to score once, leaving them rooted to the bottom of Group D.

Despite these setbacks, Eswatini have shown flashes of potential, particularly in the preliminary round of the AFCON qualifiers. They faced Somalia in a two-legged tie and secured a comprehensive 5-2 aggregate victory. A 3-0 win in the first leg, followed by a 2-2 draw in the return leg at Mbombela Stadium, gave them the momentum they need heading into the group stages of the AFCON qualifiers.

The challenge for Eswatini now is to build on that success and find a way to perform consistently against tougher opponents. Their recent head-to-head record against Guinea-Bissau is not encouraging, having lost both of their previous encounters in the AFCON qualifiers. However, Kunene will be determined to turn things around and lead his team to a historic qualification.

A Look at the Key Players

Guinea-Bissau will rely heavily on their star forward Mama Balde, whose goal-scoring ability has been pivotal for the team. Balde, who plays for Brest in France’s Ligue 1, is a player with a keen eye for goal and the ability to create chances out of nothing. His strike against Egypt in the World Cup qualifiers demonstrated his clinical finishing, and he will be a key figure in Guinea-Bissau's AFCON qualification campaign.

In addition to Balde, Guinea-Bissau boasts a number of other talented players who will be looking to make their mark. Midfielder Piqueti, who has been a regular feature in the squad, provides creativity and energy in the middle of the park. Defensively, the team will rely on the experience of captain Jonas Mendes, a veteran goalkeeper who has been with the national team for over a decade.

Eswatini, meanwhile, will be looking to their own key players to provide inspiration. Striker Sabelo Ndzinisa, who has been one of the standout performers for the Sihlangu Semnikati, will be tasked with leading the line. Ndzinisa's ability to hold up play and bring his teammates into the game will be crucial if Eswatini are to break down a well-organized Guinea-Bissau defense.

In midfield, Eswatini will look to the experience of Njabulo Ndlovu to control the tempo of the game. Ndlovu, known for his vision and passing ability, will be key in dictating play and creating chances for the forwards. At the back, goalkeeper Sandanezwe Mathabela will need to be at his best to keep Guinea-Bissau's attackers at bay.

Tactical Approaches

Both teams will need to be tactically astute if they are to come away with a positive result on Thursday. Guinea-Bissau, under the guidance of Luis Boa Morte, are likely to adopt a more attacking approach, especially given their home advantage. Boa Morte, a former Premier League winger with Fulham and West Ham, has instilled a more direct style of play in his team, focusing on quick transitions and exploiting the pace of players like Mama Balde.

However, Guinea-Bissau will also need to tighten up defensively if they are to avoid conceding late goals, as they did against Egypt. Boa Morte will likely set up his team in a 4-3-3 formation, with a focus on getting the ball to Balde and Piqueti in wide areas, allowing them to create chances for the central striker.

Eswatini, on the other hand, are expected to play more conservatively, especially given their poor form in recent matches. Dominic Kunene is likely to adopt a counter-attacking strategy, aiming to absorb pressure from Guinea-Bissau and hit them on the break. This approach will rely heavily on the pace of Ndzinisa up front, as well as the ability of Ndlovu to pick out passes from deep.

Defensively, Eswatini will need to stay organized and compact, with Mathabela playing a key role in keeping his defense alert. Kunene may opt for a 4-5-1 formation, with the midfield packed to stifle Guinea-Bissau’s creative players and limit their time on the ball.

The Stakes and Predictions

The stakes could not be higher for both teams as they look to make a strong start in their quest for AFCON qualification. For Guinea-Bissau, a win would not only boost their chances of reaching their fifth consecutive AFCON tournament but also help them regain confidence after a string of poor results.

Eswatini, on the other hand, are desperate to make history by qualifying for their first-ever AFCON. While they are the underdogs heading into this match, a positive result against Guinea-Bissau would be a huge step toward achieving that goal.

In terms of predictions, Guinea-Bissau’s superior recent record and home advantage make them the favorites. However, Eswatini will not go down without a fight, and if they can execute their game plan effectively, they could cause an upset.

Ultimately, it promises to be a closely contested match, with both teams eager to start their AFCON campaigns on a high note.