Guinea coach Duarte skips press conference before AFCON qualifier against Bafana Bafana

Guinea coach Paulo Duarte was absent from the mandatory pre-match press conference before Saturday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifier against Bafana Bafana, claiming he was unwell.

However, the Portuguese coach was present and leading Guinea’s matchday-minus-one training session when the team arrived at the venue, prompting suggestions that the decision was part of a psychological battle before the match.

Duarte is under pressure to guide Guinea to the AFCON tournament in the Pamoja region after the Syli National failed to qualify for last year’s competition in Morocco.

Guinea Team Liaison Officer Jesse Kalalu said there was no genuine reason for Duarte to miss the media engagement.

“There’s no valid reason for the head coach not being here,” Kalalu said. “He just didn’t want to come and instead wanted to focus his attention on the pitch. I tried to convince him to come to the press conference but he didn’t want to be here.”

Duarte sent his third assistant coach, Mamadouba Sylla, to face the media instead. The journalists largely ignored Sylla, directing most of their questions to Guinea player Mory Konate.

Guinea have gone four matches without a win, while several issues have affected both the team’s camp and its federation.

But defensive midfielder Konate rejected the suggestion that Duarte was under pressure ahead of the meeting with Bafana Bafana.

“The coach decided against being here, not because he is facing any pressure, we don’t think he is,” Konate said.

“The team is very motivated and they really want to impress and get a result against Bafana Bafana on Saturday.”