Guinea recall Diakhaby and Diawara for Eritrea qualifiers

Guinea manager Paulo Duarte has recalled Amadou Diawara and Mouctar Diakhaby for the squad’s two Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers against Eritrea on 12 and 16 November.

Duarte named a 25-player squad on Monday for the third and fourth matches in Group D, with Guinea preparing to face the 183rd-ranked nation in the world.

Diakhaby’s inclusion marks his first call-up since Duarte took charge. The former Lyon defender had been out of the national-team picture since September 2025, when he last played under former manager Michel Dussuyer in a 0-0 draw with Algeria.

Yakhouba Gnagna Barry is also back after a four-year absence, while Thierno Barry returns to the Syli National for the first time in five months.

There is no place for Naby Keita, Mohamed Bayo or Morgan Guilavogui, who remain unavailable for selection. Ibrahim Diakite, who had been included in the previous squad, has been left out this time.

Diakite came off the bench to play 27 minutes in Guinea’s 2-1 defeat by South Africa before being left in the stands for the following 1-0 victory over Kenya.

The right-back has started seven of his 10 appearances for Cercle Bruges and has become an important player for the Belgian club. However, his omission places him among the players whose relationship with Duarte has become strained.

Mohamed Saliou Bangoura, Abdoul Karim Traore and Seydouba Cisse are unavailable because of injury.

Duarte has otherwise retained the core of the squad, including Sekou Sylla, Ilaix Moriba, Aguibou Camara, Morlaye Sylla, Aliou Balde and striker Serhou Guirassy.

Guinea sit second in Group D, three points behind leaders South Africa. Two wins from the meetings with Eritrea would move the Syli closer to qualification.

The national team missed the last Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, increasing the importance of its campaign to reach the 2027 tournament.