Guinea coach Paulo Duarte questions fairness of AFCON 2027 qualifying draw after defeat

Guinea coach Paulo Duarte has questioned the fairness of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying draw following his side’s 2-1 defeat to South Africa in Group D.

Duarte’s concerns emerged after Guinea were beaten by the Bafana Bafana in their opening qualifier, leaving the Syli National with a difficult task as they seek to recover in the remaining matches.

Guinea have been drawn alongside South Africa, Eritrea and co-hosts Kenya in a group Duarte believes is unusually challenging.

The Portuguese tactician described the section as open but expressed his dissatisfaction with the way the teams were placed together during the CAF draw.

“It’s an open group first of all,” Duarte said.

“And I don’t understand how the draw was made when you look at the draw actually with the team of Kenya, Eritrea and South Africa. I don’t think it’s fair in terms of the draw.

“But we have more games to play and the away game coming and the game at home as well. We will do everything to actually get a result.

“But I feel the way that the draw was made by CAF is not right, it’s not fair.”

The defeat to South Africa has put additional pressure on Guinea to respond in their next outing, with Duarte aware that dropped points early in the campaign could prove costly.

However, the coach remains focused on the opportunities ahead, pointing to the remaining home and away fixtures as chances for Guinea to make up for their disappointing start.

Guinea will now have to regroup and produce a stronger performance in their upcoming qualifiers as they battle South Africa, Kenya and Eritrea for a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.