Guinea name strong squad for Northern Ireland friendly ahead of AFCON Qualifiers

Guinea head coach Paulo Duarte has unveiled a 25-man squad for this week’s international friendly against Northern Ireland, with just three locally based players included in the selection.

The Syli Nationale, who have been drawn alongside South Africa, Kenya, and Eritrea in the qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, will use the June international window to fine-tune preparations ahead of the start of the qualifiers in September.

Guinea are scheduled to face Northern Ireland in La Línea de la Concepción, Spain, on Thursday in what will be the first-ever meeting between the two nations.

Duarte, an experienced Portuguese tactician who has managed several African national teams, will be without star striker Serhou Guirassy. The prolific forward, who enjoyed another impressive season in Germany, has not been included in the squad. However, the coach has recalled former Napoli midfielder Amadou Diawara, who currently plays in Spain.

The friendly will provide Duarte with a final opportunity to assess his squad before Guinea begin their AFCON qualifying campaign with a crucial away fixture against South Africa in September.

Group D of the qualifiers also features Kenya and Eritrea. However, Kenya have already secured qualification for the tournament as one of the host nations, meaning only one of Guinea, South Africa, or Eritrea can claim the remaining qualification spot.

As a result, the opening encounter between Guinea and Bafana Bafana is expected to play a decisive role in determining who advances to the continental showpiece.

Guinea Squad

Goalkeepers: Mohamed Camara (Asante Kotoko), Mory Keita (Hafia), Soumaila Sylla (Stade Reims)

Defenders: Aboubacar Camara (FC Metaloglobus), Lancé Camara (ASM Sangaredi), Amadou Cissé (Racing Strasbourg), Ibrahima Brèze Fofana (Hammarby), Mory Konate (KV Mechelen), Mohamed Soumah (IK Sirius), Sekou Oumar Sylla (ADO Den Haag)

Midfielders: Ibrahima Sory Bangoura (Racing Genk), Seydouba Cissé (Leganés), Ousmane Diabaté (Gençlerbirliği), Amadou Diawara (Leganés), Mohamed Cherif Haidara (Sønderjyske), Lancinet Kourouma (Girona), Morlaye Sylla (Damac)

Forwards: Aliou Badara Baldé (St. Gallen), Yakhouba Gnagna Barry (Horoya), Abdoulaye ‘Kolev’ Camara (Vejle BK), Ousmane Camara (Guangdong GZ-Power), Ousmane Camara (CD Castellón), Sory Kaba (OH Leuven), Abdoul Karim Traoré (OH Leuven), Mohamed Touré (Viktoria Plzeň).