Naby Keita, Guinea’s Midfield Dynamo, Ready to Lead in CAN 2017 Qualifiers
After a stellar season with Red Bull Salzburg, capped off with a league and cup double, Naby Keita has rejoined the Guinean national team to begin preparations for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Syli National are currently holding a training camp in France ahead of their first group match against Swaziland, scheduled for June 12 in Casablanca.
Newly appointed head coach Luis Fernandez, who took over the Guinean side in April, is placing high expectations on the 20-year-old midfielder. Keita, who has been one of Guinea’s standout performers over the last year, could be handed a starting role under the French tactician.
“I think it depends on my performances. I’m not flattering myself either because you have to stay grounded and work harder,”
— Naby Keita to Foot224
Keita’s rapid rise has been nothing short of impressive. From emerging during the 2015 AFCON qualification campaign to playing a pivotal role in the tournament itself, the Red Bull Salzburg star has become an indispensable figure in the Guinean setup. His blend of dynamism, technical skill, and vision makes him the engine of the Syli National midfield.
With the 2017 AFCON in Gabon on the horizon, Naby Keita’s ambition is clear: help Guinea qualify and make a deep run in the tournament. If his club form is anything to go by, Keita is ready to lead his country on the continental stage.
