The Guinea national football team is grappling with significant injury concerns as they prepare for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Algeria and Mozambique. Team doctor Michel Gaillaud has confirmed that Ousmane Nana Camara and Rayane Doucouré are facing health issues that could impact their participation in the upcoming matches.
During a training session on Saturday, Dr. Gaillaud reported that Ousmane Nana Camara, who has recently completed his loan at Annecy and is set to return to Auxerre at the end of June, experienced abdominal pain.
The 23-year-old forward, who has earned seven caps for Guinea’s U23 team, is currently undergoing treatment and remains under close observation.
His availability for the matches against Algeria on June 6 in Algiers and Mozambique on June 10 in El Jadida, Morocco, is uncertain.
Rayane Doucouré, a central defender for Red Star in France’s National division, has been ruled out due to chronic back pain.
Dr. Gaillaud explained that Doucouré suffers from a lumbar vertebrae crack, a condition that has plagued him for over a year.
Despite following a specialized treatment program aimed at preparing him for the 2024 Olympic Games with the U23 squad, his participation remains doubtful.
The medical team is monitoring his progress, but his inclusion in the Olympic roster is not guaranteed.
No details have been released regarding a potential replacement for Doucouré in the current squad.
Guinea, currently third in Group G, has had a mixed start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.
They secured an initial victory over Uganda with a 2-1 scoreline but suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Botswana.
With three points from their first two matches, they trail group leaders Algeria, who have a perfect record of six points. Mozambique, also with three points, sits fifth in the group.
The upcoming matches are critical for Guinea’s hopes of advancing in the qualifiers.
The absence of key players like Camara and Doucouré could pose a significant challenge to their campaign.
The team will need to rally and find strength in depth to secure favorable results against a formidable Algerian side and a determined Mozambique team.
As Guinea prepares for these pivotal encounters, the squad’s resilience and adaptability will be tested.
The support and strategic acumen of coach Kaba Diawara will be crucial in navigating these injury setbacks and maintaining their competitive edge in the race for World Cup qualification.
Point médical : Rayane Doucouré out, Ousmane Nana Camara en observation.#FGF #GbinGbinSo #SyliNational pic.twitter.com/c8AwVPLAz0
— Fédération Guinéenne de Football (@fgfofficiel) June 1, 2024
