Guinea Plans Friendlies with Mali and Mauritania Ahead of CHAN Clash Against Senegal
Guinea’s national team, made up exclusively of locally based players for the African Nations Championship (CHAN), is stepping up preparations ahead of a crucial final qualifying round against regional rivals Senegal. Head coach Lappé Bangoura has confirmed that two friendly matches are being lined up — against Mali and Mauritania — as part of the build-up.
Speaking to local media during a training session, Bangoura revealed that arrangements for the matches are progressing well. “The general secretariat of the federation, in agreement with the technical management, first contacted Mali, then it will be Mauritania. I think we will have at least the two friendly matches,” he said.
With the final CHAN qualifier looming, the coaching staff is currently working with a limited squad, as many players are still tied up with club duties. “We are working slowly because we do not have the entire squad at our disposal,” Bangoura explained. “When you take the local Syli today, the backbone is Horoya and Kaloum, which are obviously the two best clubs in the country.”
The Guinean league’s National Cup final, scheduled for this Sunday, has delayed full squad availability. In the meantime, Bangoura is training with the players at hand, focusing on early morning sessions. “We’re waiting for the final to finish to begin training morning and evening, double our efforts, secure friendly matches, and begin a closed training camp,” he added.
As part of the preparations, Bangoura has also been scouting talent from across the domestic league. He highlighted a few standout performers who have recently earned his attention. “We discovered other players who stood out during the last days of the championship. I’m thinking of the midfielder from Fello Star, commonly known as Latige, who impressed me a lot. Then the ‘nine and a half’ from Santoba, Yékini — just to name two.”
With Guinea set to face a strong Senegalese side in the decisive CHAN qualifier, these friendlies and the final training camp will be crucial for fine-tuning the team. Bangoura and his staff hope that the added match experience and player reinforcements will give the local Syli National the edge they need to book a place in the CHAN finals.
