Having just been released by Liverpool, Naby Keita will lead Guinea’s bid to secure the points they need to ensure qualification for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals when they come up against Egypt later this month.
Guinea are then playing a prestige friendly against five-time world champions Brazil in Barcelona.
Both Egypt and Guinea need only a draw to secure their place at the finals when they meet on June 14. Guinea have had to forfeit home advantage because of they do not have a suitable stadium available so the match is being played in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Guinea coach Kaba Diawara has named 23 players to face Egypt and then Brazil on June 17.
His selections are marked by several returns, the most striking of which is that of striker José Kanté, who has not played since the last Cup of Nations finals, almost 18 months ago.
Also returning after missing their March qualifiers against Ethiopia are lanky defender Mohamed Ali Camara and the youthful pair of Aguibou Camara and Lassana Diakhaby.
Missing is striker Mohamed Bayo, dropped after being unable to command a regular first team place at his French club Lille.
Guinea and Egypt both have nine points at the head of Group D, with a six-point lead over Ethiopia and Malawi, with two matches each left to play in the group.
“Brazil is the most successful team in the world. But before that, we have the match which is the most important, facing the most successful team in Africa which will allow us to qualify for the Cup of Nations,” said the coach.
“Our real ambition is to play in the Cup of Nations. Then we are going to play the match against Brazil because to become better you have to rub shoulders with the best. But the most important thing is to do well against Egypt,” Diawara added.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Lassana Diakhaby (Valenciennes, France), Ibrahim Koné (Hibernians, Malta), Aly Kéita (Ostersund, Sweden)
Defenders: Mohamed Ali Camara (Young Boys Berne, Switzerland), Antoine Conté (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Ibrahima Sory Conte (Niort, France), Mouctar Diakhaby (Valencia, Spain), Ibrahima Diakité (KAS Eupen, Belgium), Saidou Sow (St Etienne, France), Dembo Sylla (Laval, France), Issiaga Sylla (Montpellier, France)
Midfielders: Seydouba Cissé (Leganes, Spain), Amadou Diawara (Anderlecht, Belgium), Naby Kéita (Liverpool, England), Mory Konaté (St Truiden, Belgium), Ilaix Moriba (Valencia, Spain), Morlaye Sylla (Arouca, Portugal)
Forwards: Aguibou Camara (Atromitos, Greece), Yadaly Diaby (Austria Lustenau, Austria), Morgan Guilavogui (Paris FC, France), Serhou Guirassy (VfB Stuttgart, Germany), François Kamano (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), José Kanté (Urawa Red Diamonds, Japan).