No-hopers Guinea-Bissau reach first finals

Guinea-Bissau secured a place at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time Sunday after closest rivals Congo Brazzaville lost 2-1 in Kenya. 

Congo, needing at least a draw to keep alive hopes of winning Group E, suffered a surprise defeat despite taking the lead through a controversially awarded penalty. Guinea Bissau, who beat Zambia 3-2 Saturday with a goal from Brito six minutes into stoppage time, have an unassailable four point lead with one round left.  The team from the tiny former Portuguese colony in West Africa were considered no-hopers by pundits when qualifying kicked off last June. But solitary-goal home and away victories over Kenya three months ago lifted them to the top of the table after Congo and Zambia drew twice. Ranked 31 in Africa and 115 in the world, Guinea Bissau never previously came close to reaching the …

continue reading in source www.cafonline.com