Guinea’s preparations for their opening Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers have been dealt a significant blow, as veteran left-back Issiaga Sylla is expected to miss the first two matches against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Tanzania. The 30-year-old Montpellier defender sustained a thigh injury during training, ruling him out of Guinea’s key September fixtures.
According to reports from French outlet *Midi Libre*, Sylla’s injury, described as a minor tear, was picked up ahead of Montpellier’s Ligue 1 opener against Strasbourg, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
While the injury is not considered severe, it is significant enough to keep Sylla sidelined for the coming weeks, including a highly anticipated clash with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Parc des Princes and a domestic fixture against Nantes on August 30.
The former Toulouse player, who has been a mainstay in Guinea’s national team for years, is now expected to use the upcoming international break to recover fully.
Despite hopes that he might return sooner, current indications suggest that Sylla will not be available for selection for Guinea’s matches against the DRC on September 6 and Tanzania on September 10, unless there is a dramatic improvement in his condition.
Sylla’s absence is a notable setback for the Guinean squad, particularly as they begin their journey towards qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which is set to be held in Morocco.
Known for his defensive solidity and experience, Sylla’s contributions will be missed as Guinea looks to start their campaign on a positive note.
The defender’s leadership on and off the pitch has been invaluable, and his presence will undoubtedly be felt during the challenging fixtures ahead.
Guinea’s qualifying campaign kicks off with a difficult away fixture against the Leopards of the DRC in Kinshasa on September 6, a match that is sure to test the Guinean defense.
Four days later, Sylla’s teammates will host Tanzania at Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, in what is expected to be another critical encounter.
These two games are crucial for Guinea as they aim to secure early points in their quest for qualification.
Sylla’s injury also complicates matters for Montpellier, who will have to cope without their experienced defender for key matches in the Ligue 1 season.
As the team looks to find its footing in the French top flight, Sylla’s absence in defense will pose a significant challenge for coach Michel Der Zakarian.
For Guinea, the road to AFCON 2025 remains long and filled with challenges, but Sylla’s absence adds a layer of complexity to an already difficult task.
Head coach Kaba Diawara will now have to look to other players to fill the void left by the seasoned left-back, with hopes that the squad can rise to the occasion in his absence.
As the countdown to the qualifiers continues, Guinea’s fans will be hoping for a swift recovery for Sylla, whose contributions could prove vital as the nation seeks to secure a place in Morocco for the prestigious tournament.
🚨 Issiaga Sylla souffre d’une petite déchirure à la cuisse et va au moins manquer les deux prochaines semaines.
L’international guinéen est automatiquement indisponible pour le prochain rassemblement du Syli National. pic.twitter.com/auD1ATvzRX
— 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗲𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲́𝗲𝗻𝘀 🇬🇳🐘 (@Joueurs_GN) August 21, 2024
