Former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita is in contention to make a return to Guinea’s squad for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after missing his country’s opening Group D matches against South Africa and Kenya.
Keita last played for Guinea almost three years ago in the 2024 Cup of Nations quarterfinal against the Democratic Republic of Congo where they lost 3-1 in Abidjan but Guinea reports say the former captain, who now plays for the Hungarian club Ferencváros, could return for Guinea's two matches against Eritrea in Group D.
Coach Paulo Duarte opened the door for the 31-year-old to return in the last international window, but then did not include him in his squad for the start of the qualifying campaign, where Guinea suffered a 2-1 away defeat against Bafana Bafana followed by a 1-0 home victory over Kenya.
Duarte is expected to name his squad at the end of this month for the two games against Eritrea. The first is in Conakry on 12 November with the return set for 15 November. Eritrea have to host the match outside of their country because of a lack of facilities but have not yet designed a venue.
They hosted South Africa last month in Cairo.