Guinea coach Paulo Duarte skips press conference before Bafana Bafana qualifier

Guinea head coach Paulo Duarte will not attend the pre-match press conference before his side’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opener against Bafana Bafana.

The 57-year-old Portuguese coach has managed Guinea in five matches since taking charge, recording one win, two draws and two defeats. That record has increased the pressure on the West African side ahead of their visit to Orlando Amstel Arena this weekend.

Guinea failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. However, their current squad includes a number of young players, and they will be expected to make a strong start against Bafana Bafana.

The explanation for Duarte’s absence was provided by a translator at the briefing.

“There’s no valid reason, I can say for the head coach, he just didn’t want to come, he’s decided to focus on the pitch, focus on the players because they have the training session now,” the translator said in his opening statement.

“So, I have tried to convince him to come to the press conference. But he didn’t want to come, so that’s it.”

Mamadouba Sylla, who was introduced as Guinea’s third assistant coach, attended the media session instead. He appeared alongside Mory Konate of Al Hazem, a move that could be interpreted as an attempt by the visitors to unsettle their opponents before the match.

Duarte has extensive experience of African football. Before taking charge of Guinea, he coached Burkina Faso, Gabon and Togo.

Guinea will face Bafana Bafana on Saturday afternoon at Orlando Amstel Arena, with kick-off scheduled for 15h00.