Minnow Guinea-Bissau reaches first CAN Finals

JOHANNESBURG — Guinea-Bissau secured a place at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time Sunday after closest rival Congo Brazzaville lost 2-1 in Kenya. Congo, needing at least a draw to keep alive its hopes of winning Group E, suffered a surprise defeat despite taking the lead through a controversially awarded penalty. Guinea-Bissau, which beat Zambia 3-2 Saturday with a goal from Brito six minutes into stoppage time, has an unassailable four-point lead with one round left. The team from the tiny former Portuguese colony in West Africa was considered no-hoper by pundits when qualifying kicked off last June. But solitary-goal home and away victories over Kenya three months ago lifted it to the top of the table while Congo and Zambia drew twice. Ranked 31st in Africa and 115th in the world, Guinea-Bissau never previously came close to reaching the biennial African football showcase. Many of the team coached by local Baciro Cande play in Portugal and favor Brazilian-style football names. The real name of Brito, who is with top-flight outfit Sporting Clube de Braga, is Piqueti Djassi Brito Silva. Prince Oniangue converted the penalty for Congo only for Ayub Timbe to equalize soon after and Erick Johana scored the second-half Kenyan winner. Captain Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew opened the scoring as Ghana triumphed 2-0 in Mauritius to also qualify. Ghana has 13 points in Group H, Rwanda and Mauritius six each and Mozambique four with one matchday to come in September. Zimbabwe was another country to book a place in the Finals after whipping Malawi 3-0 in Harare while Group L rival Guinea fell 1-0 in Swaziland. Morocco, Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt and Senegal have also qualified for the Jan. 21-Feb. 12 tournament while Gabon is automatic participant as host. — AFP