Guinea’s national football team, Syli National, has announced a crucial withdrawal ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Tanzania. Defender Julian Jeanvier, who plays for Kayserispor in Turkey, has been sidelined with a left foot injury, a blow to Guinea’s defensive lineup as they approach pivotal matches in their qualifying campaign.
Jeanvier’s absence was confirmed just a day after Guinea’s squad list for the matches was released.
The team is set to face DRC on November 16 at the Ebimpé Stadium in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, followed by an away match against Tanzania on November 19 in Dar es Salaam.
These encounters mark the fifth and sixth rounds of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, with Guinea currently positioned in second place in Group H.
The Guinean Football Federation (FGF) provided an update on Jeanvier’s condition, stating, “Defender Julian Jeanvier, defender of Kayserispor (Turkey), has withdrawn due to a left foot injury.”
The federation further noted that Jeanvier’s recovery is expected to take four to six weeks, effectively ruling him out of both upcoming qualifiers.
To fill the void left by Jeanvier, head coach Michel Dussuyer has called up young central defender Mohamed Soumah from KAA Gent in Belgium.
The 21-year-old had previously been summoned in October as a reinforcement but did not make an appearance after Mohamed Camara sustained an injury.
Soumah, eager for his chance to contribute, will now have the opportunity to make his mark in the critical AFCON qualifying rounds.
As things stand in Group H, Guinea is in a solid second place with six points, trailing DRC, who lead the group with a flawless record of 12 points from four matches.
Guinea’s position, however, remains precarious, with Tanzania close behind with four points, while Ethiopia lingers at the bottom with a single point.
To secure a spot in the upcoming AFCON tournament, Guinea needs to win at least one of their next two matches, with Tanzania and DRC representing their final challenges in the group.
A win would all but confirm Guinea’s qualification, while a loss or draw could put additional pressure on their campaign.
With Jeanvier out, the spotlight turns to Soumah and Guinea’s backline as they work to hold off strong opposition and navigate a path to the AFCON tournament.
