Guinea Look to Build Momentum in Uganda Amid Ebola Precautions
Guinea’s national team will look to continue their strong start to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they face Uganda in Kampala on Wednesday.
The Syli National began their Group E campaign with an encouraging 2-1 victory over Togo, played in Casablanca due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Head coach Michel Dussuyer and his squad have since travelled to Uganda, where they arrived on Sunday following transit stops in Paris and Amsterdam.
Only a 25-member Guinean delegation, including 19 players, made the journey to Kampala. Upon arrival, the entire party underwent a mandatory two-hour screening for the Ebola virus as part of Uganda’s public health precautions. Despite the strict protocols, the Guinean team has continued preparations without disruption.
Guinea held their first training session on Monday ahead of their clash with Uganda, which is set to take place at 16:30 local time at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.
Coach Dussuyer, who has guided Guinea through several qualification campaigns, will be hoping his side can maintain their winning momentum in a group that also includes Ghana. With only the top two teams and the best third-placed finisher across all groups advancing to the finals in Morocco, every point is crucial.
The match will pose a significant test for both sides. Uganda held Ghana to a surprising 1-1 draw in Kumasi on the opening day of qualifiers and will be looking to capitalise on home advantage. However, Guinea’s recent performance and resilience in the face of logistical and health challenges suggest they will be tough opponents.
The Ebola crisis continues to cast a shadow over Guinea’s campaign, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) previously ruling that Guinea must play their home matches outside the country. Casablanca was chosen as a neutral venue for their opening game, and it remains unclear whether Guinea will be able to return home for future fixtures.
Nevertheless, the players and coaching staff have remained focused on their footballing duties, determined not to let the crisis derail their ambitions of reaching the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
As the second round of group matches approaches, Wednesday’s encounter in Kampala could prove pivotal in shaping the group standings—and in setting the tone for Guinea’s qualification hopes.
