Guinea-Bissau win 1-0 in Sao Tome

Joseph Mendes of Guinea-Bissau is challenged by Thomas Teye Partey of Ghana during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Guinea Bissau and Ghana at the Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 02 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

by Staff Reporter

Wednesday Sep 04, 2019. 19:41

Guinea-Bissau have taken control of their first round 2022 African World Cup qualifying tie after they defeated Sao Tome and Principe 1-0 at the Estadio Nacional 12 de Julho on Wednesday.

For much of the match it looked as if the score line would remain blank, with neither goalkeeper – Aldair D’Almeida for the hosts and Jonas Mendes for the visitors – beaten for over 80 minutes.

However, the Djurtus claimed an away win when Nanu broke the deadlock with an 85th minute penalty.

Guinea-Bissau, boasting talent such as Reading midfielder Pele, Ajaccio forward Joseph Mendes and Dijon attacker Mama Balde, would have been bitterly disappointed had they not beaten the minnows.

Yet Sao Tome can take heart from a brave showing against a far more gifted team, and they will head into the second leg hopeful of putting in another proud display.

The return game will be played next Tuesday, September 10, at Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau.