Guinea head coach Paulo Duarte says AC Milan forward Alphadjo Cissé and Hoffenheim’s Bambase Conte have turned down approaches from the Syli. He also mentions “many other players”.
Asked about the contacts made with dual nationals playing in Europe, Guinea head coach Paulo Duarte acknowledged a series of rejections, according to Soccer Laduma and Daily Sports. At the top of the list, AC Milan forward Alphadjo Cissé told him he only wants to play for Italy.
The coach said he had contacted several players: “I contacted players, but they refused,” he declared. He names Bambase Conte, at Hoffenheim, and “many other players”, who did the same.
Cissé, Conte and the others
The response attributed to Alphadjo Cissé is the bluntest. In comments relayed by Soccer Laduma, Paulo Duarte sums it up: “Alphadjo Cissé let me know that he only wants to play for Italy; the same goes for Bambase Conte (Hoffenheim) and many other players.”
Bambase Conte is named in the same sentence. Duarte specifies neither the exact number of rejections nor the identity of the other dual nationals concerned.
The coach also mentions Ilaix Moriba, the Celta Vigo midfielder, who reportedly told him about an injury. Reports also mention a reluctance that would be linked to the number 10 shirt worn for two years by Aliou Baldé; that line of enquiry remains unconfirmed.
Two wins in three matches
These rejections come as Guinea, second in Group D, have two wins from three matches. Their only defeat was against South Africa in September, according to Soccer Laduma. The Syli have the same number of points as the Bafana Bafana, who have a game in hand.
With Kenya automatically qualified as co-hosts, only one other place remains available in Group D, according to All Football.
Kenya in the background
Group D gets moving again this Friday, 13 November 2026 with South Africa – Kenya. Guinea’s matches are expected in the next international window.