Guinea suffers setback as Issiaga Sylla ruled out of key AFCON qualifiers
Guinea has been dealt a significant blow ahead of their crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against DR Congo and Tanzania, as key left-back Issiaga Sylla has been ruled out due to injury. The Montpellier defender sustained a thigh injury during a training session last week, according to reports from French publication *Midi Libre*.
The injury comes at a critical time for Guinea, as they prepare for back-to-back fixtures that will play a pivotal role in their quest for qualification for the 2025 AFCON tournament.
The 30-year-old Sylla is a vital component of the Guinean squad, and his absence is likely to be felt on both ends of the pitch.
Sylla’s injury occurred during a routine training session with his French Ligue 1 club, Montpellier.
The left-back, who has earned a reputation as one of the most consistent performers for both club and country, was preparing for Montpellier’s upcoming league matches.
However, the injury means that not only will he be unavailable for Montpellier’s next game against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), but he will also miss their subsequent match against Nantes, featuring Egyptian striker Mohamed Mostafa.
While the initial prognosis suggests that Sylla will be sidelined for approximately two weeks, this timeline rules him out of Guinea’s key AFCON qualifiers.
The first match, against DR Congo, is scheduled for September 6 in Kinshasa.
Just four days later, Guinea will face Tanzania in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, on September 10.
These matches are considered crucial for Guinea’s hopes of advancing to the 2025 AFCON, with every point now essential in the tightly contested qualification campaign.
The timing of Sylla’s injury could not be worse for Guinea.
With a defense that has relied heavily on his experience and versatility, head coach Kaba Diawara will need to find an adequate replacement in a short span of time.
Sylla’s ability to both defend and push forward into attacking positions has made him a key figure in Guinea’s tactical setup, and his absence will undoubtedly force the team to adjust its approach.
Speaking on the matter, a source close to the Guinean national team expressed concern over the impact of Sylla’s absence.
“Issiaga is a crucial player for us, especially in matches of this importance.
Losing him for these qualifiers is a big setback, but we have to find a solution and move forward.”
The injury also poses a challenge for Montpellier, who will be without their first-choice left-back during a crucial period in the early stages of the Ligue 1 season.
Montpellier’s manager, Michel Der Zakarian, will have to reshuffle his defense as they prepare to face two formidable opponents in PSG and Nantes, both of whom boast attacking talent capable of exploiting any defensive weaknesses.
For Sylla, the injury marks a frustrating interruption to his season just as it was gaining momentum.
The Guinean international had been hoping to continue his strong form for Montpellier while also playing a key role in his country’s AFCON campaign.
Now, he will need to focus on his recovery, with hopes of returning to the pitch as soon as possible.
As Guinea look ahead to their upcoming qualifiers, the team will undoubtedly miss the stability and leadership that Sylla brings to the squad.
The Guinean national team will need to draw on its depth and resilience if they are to secure positive results against DR Congo and Tanzania without their star left-back on the field.
In the meantime, Sylla’s recovery will be closely monitored by both Montpellier and the Guinean national team, as they hope for his swift return ahead of future fixtures.
For now, however, Guinea will have to proceed without one of their most dependable players during a crucial stage of their AFCON qualification campaign.
