Two days before hosting Eritrea in Group D, the Syli National have gathered only eight of the 25 players called up by coach Paulo Duarte in Conakry, amid problems with plane tickets and international connections.
The Syli National are preparing to host Eritrea with a very depleted squad. With 48 hours to go before the match, scheduled for 12 November at 17:00 at the Stade du 28 Septembre, only eight of the 25 players called up by Paulo Duarte had made it to Conakry, according to Africa Top Sports and Mediaguinee.
Among those present are Mouctar Diakhaby, Yakhouba Gnagna Barry, Sékou Salif Sylla, Amadou Diawara, Aguibou Camara, Ousmane Camara and Yadaly Diaby, two of whom play for Horoya AC, according to Allure Info and Mediaguinee. A small core to prepare for a match against a team already settled in the capital.
Plane tickets and connections to blame
The Guinean press offers a logistical explanation: problems with plane tickets and international connections are keeping players away from Conakry, according to Africa Top Sports and Mediaguinee. No official version from the Guinean Football Federation is cited in the available reports.
The contrast with the opposition’s preparations is striking: Eritrea set up base in Conakry from the previous Friday, Africa Top Sports and Allure Info indicate.
A Group D three points behind South Africa
After two matchdays, Guinea have 3 points and sit behind South Africa, who have 6, according to Footballdatabase. Kenya and Eritrea complete the group with 1 point each. The match on 12 November, the third matchday, therefore begins with the Syli three points behind the leaders.
The Syli will also have to cope with four withdrawals: Serhou Guirassy, Saïdou Sow, Soumaïla Sylla and Lamine Diaby-Fadiga are all missing. The latter was injured on Sunday with Raków against Legia Warsaw, according to Africa Top Sports and Footafrique24. These absences come on top of the called-up players not yet in Conakry and reduce Paulo Duarte’s options.
Two matches against Eritrea in four days
The schedule leaves little respite: after the home match on 12 November, Guinea travel on 16 November, again against Eritrea, according to Footballdatabase and Panafrofoot. Two matches four days apart, with a squad that is not yet complete.
One reason for optimism remains: at home, the national team are on a run of 15 AFCON qualifying matches conceding at most one goal, a streak matched since 2007, Footballdatabase points out.