Guinea hit by key injuries ahead of AFCON 2025 qualifiers against DRC

Serhou Guirassy, who had been named in coach Charles Paquille’s squad despite not featuring for Borussia Dortmund this season due to an injury, will now officially miss the crucial matches. This setback comes as a disappointment for Paquille, who is leading the Syli National for the first time in a competitive setting. According to reports from Foot224, the Guinean technical staff is now scrambling to find a suitable replacement for the prolific forward, who has been an instrumental figure in the team’s attack.

In addition to Guirassy’s absence, Guinea will also have to do without the services of central defender Saïdou Sow and left-back Issiaga Sylla.

Sow, who picked up an injury during a Ligue 1 match for Strasbourg on Friday, has been ruled out of action.

His place in the squad will be filled by Ibrahima Sory Conté, a defender currently playing for UTA Arad in Romania.

Meanwhile, Sylla, who had just returned to the pitch for Montpellier after a previous injury, suffered a setback during a match against Nantes.

He was forced to leave the field after just 10 minutes and will now miss Guinea’s crucial qualifiers as well.

A replacement for Sylla is expected to be announced soon.

The injury woes don’t stop there for Guinea.

François Kamano, a versatile attacker, also remains doubtful for the upcoming matches.

Kamano picked up an injury during a Saudi Pro League fixture against Al-Hilal, where he had to be substituted in the 68th minute.

His condition is being closely monitored, but his availability for the AFCON qualifiers remains uncertain.

Similarly, right-back Ibrahim Diakité, who plays for Cercle Bruges, has not fully recovered from adductor problems that have kept him sidelined for the season so far.

Although Diakité has resumed training, his lack of match fitness makes his inclusion in the squad a risky proposition.

These injuries have significantly impacted Guinea’s preparations for their first qualifier against the Leopards of DRC on September 6 in Kinshasa.

Four days later, they will face the Taifa Stars of Tanzania in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast.

Coach Charles Paquille, now under immense pressure, will have to adjust his tactics and make critical decisions on replacements to ensure the Syli National remains competitive despite the numerous absences.

Guinea’s football fans will be hoping that the remaining squad members step up in the absence of their star players and deliver strong performances in the crucial fixtures ahead.

Paquille’s debut as head coach may be marred by injuries, but the national team will be determined to start their AFCON 2025 campaign on a positive note.

🏥 OFFICIEL, SERHOU GUIRASSY FORFAIT

Sélectionné malgré sa blessure, l’attaquant du Borussia Dortmund ne sera pas présent en septembre avec le Syli National. Le staff s’active pour lui trouver un remplaçant.

Qui pour remplacer Serhou Guirassy selon vous ?#FOOT224 pic.twitter.com/YaepFzVBm1

— F⚽⚽T224.COM (@FOOT_224) August 31, 2024