Born José Luis Mendes Lopes (Zezinho) will be leading the Guinea-Bissau Senior National team nicknamed “African Wild Dog” to the 2019 continental showpiece, having played thirty-one (31) games and scored two goals in a national team career spanning from September 2010.

Guinea-Bissau making its second consecutive appearance at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) with its maiden edition in 2017 and exiting at the group stage, hence much would be required from Zezinho, who plies his trade with Slovakia side Senica.

The 26-year old midfielder would have to show great tenacity and fighting spirit in a team that cannot boast of so much fancy names, heading into the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for Egypt from June 21 to July 19, 2019.

With six other midfielders in the likes of Sori Mané, Mamadu Tunkara Pelé, Jorge Bura Norgueira, João Jaquité, and Moreto Cassamá making the final list for Coach Baciro Candé’s final 23-man squad, Zezinho would have to prove his worth and bring to bear the experience garnered from Portugal, Cyprus and Greece.

With a blend of local and a few foreign players, Zezinho and his team mates would have to fend off a stiff competition from Group F comprising of five times champions Cameroon, four time winners Ghana and fellow minnows Benin.