Top striker Serhou Guirassy is among several key players who have returned to the Guinea squad, named in a 25-man squad by coach Paolo Duarte for next week’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa and the subsequent group D match against Kenya on 1 October.
French-born Guirassy was the second-highest scorer in the Bundesliga two seasons ago, and in the last campaign, he was the joint top scorer in the Champions League with his German club Borussia Dortmund.
He missed Guinea’s last international – a 1-0 loss to Northern Ireland in a friendly played in Spain in June – but is back for the start of the 2027 Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Also back are regulars Ilaix Moriba, Saidou Sow and Aguibou Camara, but Guinea will miss captain Issiaga Sylla, defender Mouctar Diakhaby, midfielder Amadou Diawara and Abdoulaye Touré. Diakhaby and Diawara are injured while Touré is without a club.
“These are three players who would normally be with us,” coach Paulo Duarte explained.
CAPTAIN SYLLA NOT YET READY
Sylla, usually the first-choice left-back, has not yet regained sufficient match fitness after several months on the sidelines.
“It has been about four and a half months since he last played. Holidays, injuries, returning from injury, not yet having played a match, not even being on the bench. Unfortunately, we are losing our captain,” Duarte said.
Striker Morgan Guilavogui is also missing after seeking time off with a knee problem.
“I invited him, but he told me he was injured in the knee. Even though he played four days ago, he felt that his knee was not suitable for a long-distance trip. So he declined the invitation,” the coach explained.
Defender Ousmane Camara, who plays for Castellón in Spain, declined a call-up. “It is a surprise for us. He justified it on family grounds,” Duarte added.
“The best players for this preparation phase are those who want to put on the shirt for their country and represent Guinea. I have to go with players who are interested in fighting for their country,” he said.
“I congratulate this group for the desire they have to play for Guinea. For me, the greatest quality a player can have is his ability to fight for his country. I have to prepare for war with these players.
Guinea’s first qualifier is away against Bafana Bafana at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday, 26 September, followed by Kenya at home in Conakry on Wednesday, 1 October.
GUINEA SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Mohamed Camara (Mechal, Ethiopia), Mory Keita (Hafia), Souleymane Sylla (Nimes, France)
Defenders: Ibrahim Diakité (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Ibrahim Breze Fofana (Hammarby, Sweden), Aboubacar Keita (Kalmar, Sweden), Madiou Keita (Vasteras, Sweden), Mory Konaté (Al Hazem, Saudi Arabia), Mohamed Soumah (Sirius, Sweden), Saidou Sow (Nantes, France), Sekou Sylla (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands)
Midfielders: Sory Bangoura (Racing Genk, Belgium), Seydouba Cissé (Al Kholood, Saudi Arabia), Ousmane Diabaté (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), Lass Kourouma (Girona, Spain), Ilaix Moriba (Celta Vigo, Spain), Morlaye Sylla (Damac, Saudi Arabia)
Forwards: Aliou Baldé (St Gallen, Switzerland), Mohamed Bangoura (Mouloudia Algiers, Algeria), Aguibou Camara (Ludogorets Razgrad, Bulgaria), Ousmane Camara (Guangdong GZ Power, China), Yadaly Diaby (Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada), Lamine Diaby Fadiga (Raków Częstochowa, Poland), Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Abdoul Traoré (OH Leuven, Belgium).