Guinea-Bissau's match-winner against Super Eagles, Balde skips training ahead of return leg 

Guinea-Bissau are sweating on the fitness of Mama Baldé ahead of their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Nigeria. 

The Troyes attacker instantly turned into a national hero after scoring the match-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over the Super Eagles on Friday. 

Balde picked a long ball behind the defence from Opa Sangante before sliding the ball past Francis Uzoho in the 29th minute.

According to the reliable Fut245, Mama Baldé and Pelé are carrying knocks and did not train with the rest of their teammates on Saturday afternoon. 

The Guinea-Bissau players and officials returned to Bissau on Saturday morning. The charter flight carrying the Djurtus delegation from Abuja landed at Osvaldo International Airport at 0515 hours.

A recovery training session was held at the Estádio 24 de Setembro after the team's arrival.

In the first leg tie in Abuja, Balde made way for Jardel with fourteen minutes left on the clock and it remains unclear whether it was a tactical substitution or he was replaced after picking up a knock. 

The 27-year-old was walking a disciplinary tightrope before he was substituted as he was shown a yellow card for a high boot on Kevin Akpoguma in the 52nd minute. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : Federação de Futebol da Guiné-Bissau

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