As the countdown to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 continues, there are growing concerns about the potential withdrawal of Guinea’s star midfielder, Naby Keita. Summoned by coach Kaba Diawara for the prestigious tournament, Keita’s recent return from injury may not be enough to secure his presence on the field.
Despite making a comeback after being sidelined for several weeks, the Werder Bremen midfielder’s fitness remains a major point of contention.
Ole Werner, the coach of the German club, has expressed caution about rushing Keita back into action, stating, “We are happy to have Naby Keita back in the team, but he probably won’t be a priority option for a while.
We now have to get him back into shape little by little and gradually give him back playing time. It is more likely that we will only see one hundred percent Naby Keita after the Africa Cup next year.”
Werner’s reserved assessment of Keita’s readiness has sent ripples of concern through the technical staff of the Guinean national team.
As they await further updates on Keita’s condition, the looming question is whether the former Liverpool player will ultimately withdraw from AFCON 2023.
The uncertainty surrounding Naby Keita’s participation adds an element of suspense to Guinea’s preparations for the tournament.
The coming days are expected to provide clarity on whether the dynamic midfielder will don the national colors at AFCON 2023 or if Guinea will have to navigate the competition without one of their key assets.
Football enthusiasts will be closely monitoring developments as the anticipation builds for the continental showdown in Ivory Coast.
