After doing well to get to the quarterfinals during the 2021 edition, Guinea are looking at going a step further in next month’s TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023.
Despite being drawn in a tough group consisting of reigning champions Senegal, former champions Cameroon, as well as The Gambia, the Guineans remain ambitious about doing well and will be looking at advancing beyond the group stages despite being against tough opposition.
Mohamed Bayo, Aguibou Camara, Serhou Guirassy are some of the key players that coach Kaba Diawara will be looking to for some individual brilliance when Guinea kick off their TotalEnergies AFCON campaign against Cameroon on Monday, 15 January.
Guinea's matches in Group C:
January 15 - Cameroon – Guinea: 17h00 GMT, Charles-Konan-Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro
January 19 - Guinea – Gambia: 20h00 GMT, Charles-Konan-Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro
January 23 - Guinea – Senegal: 17h00 GMT, Stade Charles-Konan-Banny, Yamoussoukro
How they qualified:
Guinea had to wait for the last day of qualifiers to secure their ticket to Cote d’Ivoire. Despite not being in action on the day, it was Ethiopia and Malawi who played out to a goalless draw that saw the result being favourable to Guinea who finished second behind Egypt to go secure their ticket to Cote d’Ivoire.
Player to watch: Serhou Guirassy
Serhou Guirassy is a goal poacher of note and certainly one to look to when in search for goals. He has 19 goals from 16 matches with Vfb Stuttgart in Germany.
Despite playing his very first TotalEnergies AFCON at 27 years, Guirassy is high in confidence and will be looking to be a serious threat to defenders in Cote d’Ivoire.
One of his key attributes is his unique ability to finish with both feet, which will be a great asset against some of the continent’s best defenders and goalkeepers.
The coach: Kaba Diawara
Appointed as head coach of the team in 2021, Kaba Diawara will be guiding Guinea for the second consecutive TotalEnergies AFCON next month.
Diawara is a student of the game and this was evident during his time as an analyst for major TV channels dissecting the game.
Well known for his great motivation and ability to calm his players, Diawara is a fan of the 4-3-3 formation and will be hoping his players adapt and master the system well against some of the best players next month.
Guinea's record at the TotalEnergies AFCON
1970: 1st round
1974: 1st round
1976: Finalist
1994: 1st round
1998: 1st round
2006: Quarter-final
2008: Quarter-final
2012: 1st round
2015: Quarter-final
2019: Round of 16
2021: Round of 16