Guinea in Turmoil as Captain Ibrahima Traoré Steps Away from National Team
Guinea has been rocked by the sudden decision of Ibrahima Traoré, captain of the Syli National, to step away from international duty following the team’s 0-3 defeat to Ghana in the quarter-finals of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Borussia Mönchengladbach winger cited deep frustration with the lack of organization and professionalism surrounding the national team setup as the main reason for his decision.
“You always see the same things when you arrive in the national team, and at some point you can’t accept them all the time. There’s a big gap between the level of football at club level and that of the national team,” Traoré told centpourcentfoot.
The 26-year-old was particularly critical of logistical failures:
“When you struggle at the airport and have to drag your own things around, whereas I know that in Guinea, there are young people who would be ready to do anything to become a steward without even asking,” he lamented.
Traoré emphasized that the decision was personal and well thought-out, made after consulting his family and some teammates. He framed it not as a retirement, but as an indefinite break to reflect on his future with the national team.
This announcement comes just days after head coach Michel Dussuyer also distanced himself from the Syli National, amplifying the sense of uncertainty and unrest in Guinean football. The dual departure signals a serious need for reform within the Guinean Football Federation if it hopes to retain top talent and compete at the highest levels.
