Abdoul Karim Bangoura has spoken out amid the growing tensions within the Guinean Football Federation (Féguifoot), calling for a reexamination of the institution’s statutes to ensure fairness, transparency, and national sovereignty.
The former captain of Guinea’s national team and one-time candidate for the Féguifoot presidency shared his views publicly following the suspension of current president Bouba Sampill by seven executive committee members.
The decision has sparked fresh debate around the internal functioning and governance of the football body.
In a statement posted on social media, Bangoura criticized what he sees as structural bias embedded in the current framework of the federation’s governance.
He warned against the manipulation of regulatory texts for the benefit or exclusion of any individual or faction.
“The statutes of Féguifoot must not be written to serve one person or eliminate another,” Bangoura said. “They must reflect the collective will and interests of our footballing community.”
He also questioned the need for external involvement, notably from FIFA, asserting that Guinea is fully capable of managing its own football affairs provided its internal statutes align with international norms.
“There is no need for foreign supervision if our texts respect global standards,” he stated. “We must reclaim ownership of our football through responsible, visionary leadership.”
Bangoura’s remarks come at a time of heightened scrutiny around the decision-making processes within Féguifoot.
The suspension of Bouba Sampill has intensified divisions within the executive, prompting calls from several quarters for a restructured legal foundation to guide the federation’s activities moving forward.
Echoing concerns voiced by football stakeholders across Guinea, Bangoura stressed the need for a long-term approach that prioritises good governance and the sustainable development of the sport.
“The future of Guinean football depends on the foundation we lay today,” he continued. “Our statutes must be visionary, not reactionary. We must establish a system that resists manipulation and champions merit, transparency, and national pride.”
Bangoura concluded his message with an appeal for collective responsibility, urging all parties involved in the current dispute to place the interests of Guinean football above personal or political agendas.
As tensions simmer, his call for fairness and sovereignty adds to the growing demand for reform and accountability within Féguifoot’s leadership.
