Guinea Faces Debutants Madagascar in AFCON 2019 Group B Clash
The second match of Group B in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations sees Guinea’s Syli National take on Madagascar’s Barea this Saturday evening at 8 PM GMT. Guinea, eager to secure their first victory of the tournament, know that a strong start is essential to boost confidence and set the tone for the rest of the competition. Meanwhile, Madagascar, making their AFCON debut, will be looking to make history and prove that their presence in Egypt is no accident.
In a press conference on Friday, Guinean coach Paul Put highlighted the importance of the opening game. “The first match in an African Cup is always important, both psychologically and to build confidence for the next matches,” he explained. “It’s true that Madagascar has never participated in an African Cup, but they are a dangerous team. We will be careful, but I think we are well prepared to attack this match.”
Despite Madagascar’s lack of experience at this level, Put is cautious. The Barea may be newcomers, but they have the ability to surprise established sides with their pace, organization, and spirited approach. Guinea will need to combine their technical skills with tactical discipline to ensure they don’t underestimate the island nation.
Guinea’s preparations, however, have not gone entirely smoothly. The team lost all three of their warm-up matches prior to the tournament. Yet, captain Ibrahim Traoré sees a silver lining in these results. “It’s true that we had a preparation period with three defeats. It’s never ideal during preparation to not be reassured by the results. But I see it more as a lesson we all need to learn,” he said.
Traoré emphasized that facing strong opponents in these friendlies, including Egypt, allowed the team to identify weaknesses and understand where improvements were needed. “We played against teams with different styles—some that sit deep, others that quickly transition forward—which caused us difficulties. These matches allowed us to measure ourselves, see where we need to work, and recognize that we all need to do more. So I see it as a good lesson before the competition.”
Guinea will be without midfield maestro Naby Keita, placing greater responsibility on players like François Kamano, Ibrahima Yattara, and Traoré himself to lead the attack. Their performance will be crucial in breaking down Madagascar’s defense and securing a positive start in Group B.
For Madagascar, the debutants, the match represents a historic moment. The team has trained hard for this opportunity, and players like Thomas Fontaine and captain Faneva Andriatsima have emphasized their determination to leave a mark despite their limited experience at AFCON. A spirited and disciplined performance could earn them respect and set the foundation for future tournaments.
As the final match of the day’s AFCON schedule, Guinea vs Madagascar promises to be a compelling clash of experience versus ambition. Kick-off is at 8 PM GMT, with both teams ready to battle for crucial opening points in Group B.
