CAN 2017 Qualifiers: Uncertainty Lingers Over Ibrahima Traoré’s Guinea Return
As Guinea prepare to face Zimbabwe in their next 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) qualifier in September, all eyes are on one name in particular: Ibrahima Traoré. The Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder, who has not featured for the Syli National since the 2015 CAN tournament, has been included in head coach Luis Fernandez’s latest squad list — but doubts remain over his willingness to return.
Despite ongoing speculation that Traoré is unlikely to accept the call-up, Fernandez remains optimistic. “I am not aware of this information,” the Frenchman told Radio Foot International on RFI, as reported by Centpourcentfoot. “I have made my list, and I’m waiting for him to come. We had discussions in Paris, and for me there are no problems.”
This isn’t the first time Traoré has declined an invitation. Since taking a step back from international duty, the midfielder has consistently distanced himself from the national team setup. Still, Fernandez is standing firm, insisting the door remains open and that he expects Traoré to report for duty.
With Guinea needing all their key players to remain competitive in a tricky qualifying group, the potential absence of one of their most experienced figures could be a blow. For now, the ball is in Traoré’s court — and Guinea fans are left waiting for a definitive answer.
