VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed on Thursday that on-loan midfielder Janio Bikel has been called up to Guinea-Bissau's men's national team for a pair of Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.
Bikel, 26, receives his second Guinea-Bissau call-up after previously representing Portugal at the youth levels. The side will host Sao Tome and Principe on Monday, May 30 and will then face Sierra Leone on Tuesday, June 7.
Since moving on loan to Italian Serie B side LR Vicenza last January, Bikel has started 15 of his 17 appearances for the club, most recently going the full 90 minutes in Vicenza's 1-0 win Cosenza in the first leg of the Serie B relegation playoff.
The midfielder, who was acquired by the 'Caps in February 2020, started 27 of his 34 appearances across all competitions in 2021. All-time, Bikel has made 39 starts and 46 appearances for Whitecaps FC in all competitions.
