Guinea’s national football team will be forced to play away from home once again, with the iconic September 28 Stadium in Conakry still unavailable due to ongoing renovations.
Despite more than four years of closure and continued restoration efforts, the venue is not expected to be ready in time to host the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Algeria in September.
The stadium, a historic home ground for the Syli National, has been under major refurbishment for several years, rendering it unfit for both domestic and international fixtures.
According to local outlet Guinéefoot, while progress on the project has reportedly satisfied engineers and on-site technicians, the works are far from complete. The government and technical teams are now targeting the end of the year for full completion and reopening.
“The renovation work on the September 28 stadium is progressing to the satisfaction of the technicians and workers on site. This sports venue has been closed and under renovation for years, no longer being able to host local and international matches,” the publication noted.
The latest setback means that Guinea will once again have to seek an alternative venue for its home fixtures. For their 2026 World Cup Group G qualifier against Algeria, the Guinean Football Federation is believed to be planning to relocate the match to the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
This would not be the first time Guinea has had to host international matches abroad due to stadium-related issues. In recent years, CAF (Confederation of African Football) has tightened its standards for approved venues, leaving many nations with no option but to play in neutral or foreign stadiums.
While playing away from home is far from ideal, the impact on Guinea’s World Cup ambitions may be minimal. The Syli National are no longer considered serious contenders for qualification in this campaign, having fallen behind in the race for a spot at the 2026 tournament.
Their match against Algeria, one of the continent’s heavyweights, could therefore be more symbolic than decisive in terms of qualification.
Nonetheless, for players and supporters alike, the continued unavailability of their national stadium remains a source of frustration. The September 28 Stadium is not only a sporting arena but a symbol of national pride, and its extended closure has deprived Guinea of true home advantage during a crucial competitive cycle.
Until the renovations are completed and the facility receives CAF’s seal of approval, Guinea must continue to rely on stadiums beyond its borders to fulfill its international obligations.
With work expected to conclude by the end of 2025, fans remain hopeful that the Syli National will soon return to Conakry for future campaigns on home soil.
