Guinea Coach Michel Dussuyer Endures Ten Months Without Pay Despite AFCON Qualification
Guinea national team head coach Michel Dussuyer has gone nearly a year without receiving his salary, despite leading the Syli National to qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. The Frenchman’s ordeal comes at a time of professional triumph, having secured Guinea’s place in the continental tournament with a 2-0 win over Uganda last Wednesday.
In an interview with Guinean outlet Foot224.net, Dussuyer admitted that the situation has been far from easy but insisted that his commitment to the team remains unwavering.
“I manage it my way because I’ve always said that, for me, the most important thing is the sporting objectives — and I fight for that,” he said. “But it’s true, this is not an easy context, and at times it also weighs heavily on my shoulders.”
Dussuyer, who has been living off match bonuses alone, continues to demonstrate professionalism and resilience in the face of financial uncertainty. His dedication has not gone unnoticed, especially given the challenge of guiding Guinea to qualification under difficult conditions — including having to play their home matches abroad due to the Ebola crisis.
There may now be light at the end of the tunnel. Guinean President Alpha Condé, hosting the national team to celebrate their qualification, publicly pledged to resolve the issue of unpaid wages. The President also awarded the team a €30,000 bonus, which Dussuyer is currently relying on as he awaits his long-overdue salary.
The situation has raised broader questions about the treatment of national team staff and the sustainability of football administration in countries where financial and logistical hurdles are all too common.
For now, Dussuyer remains focused on preparing the squad for the tournament in Equatorial Guinea, hoping that the off-field matters will soon be resolved — and that his team can continue to deliver success where it matters most: on the pitch.
