Guinea's suspension by CAF came to an end at the end of March. A 5-year sanction that saw the Syli Cadet miss two AFCONs and World Cup finals. In Conakry, the team is already gearing up for the next round.
On April 28, 2019, Guinea lost the AFCON U17 final to Cameroon on penalties (5-3).After receiving a hero's welcome in Conakry, the joy was short-lived.A few days later, following a reservation by Senegal accusing Guinea of fielding ineligible players, the final straw fell: CAF sanctioned Guinea for five years, including two AFCON finals. Five years later, the sanction has been served. The Guinean Football Federation is busy and already looking ahead to the next round.
In a press release, the body announced the forthcoming organization of a championship for the selection of players to represent Guinea in the category. "As part of the application of the national regulations of the club-licensing system procedure, Feguifoot is pleased to announce the imminent organization of the U17 championship," wrote general secretary Ibrahima Blasco Barry in the release. He continued, "This competition, which is scheduled for April 2024, will be open to the U17 sections of the 14 clubs in the national League 1 championship. "
Not an inclusive approach
Guinea's U17 national team will be taking part in the CAN qualifiers for their category in October. To prevent fraud, the federation intends to take steps in this direction. " No player in this age category will be selected for the national team unless he is affiliated to a club through a license duly registered on the FIFA Connect platform ", warns the Feguifoot general secretary. A decision far from unanimous.For the former general secretary of the Amateur League, because it is not inclusive." It's a salutary initiative, but it's not inclusive. There is a plethora of soccer academies in Guinea today. We had to start from the bottom up.From sub-districts to League 1 clubs. That would have been more inclusive, and would have enabled players from different regions who don't have visibility to express their talents. Soccer isn't just limited to League 1 clubs," explains Sory Kourouma.
He goes on to argue that only Ligue 1 clubs are concerned. Which doesn't help Guinean soccer. Of the 14 clubs making up Ligue 1, only 5 have a U17 section, reveals the former administrative secretary of the Amateur League. With this situation, the other clubs are forced to fall back on neighborhood academies, excluded from the process, to steal their players. "It' s just incomprehensible ", laments this official.
Five years after their suspension by the CAF, Guinea, who reached the final of the AFCON U17 in Tanzania before being suspended by African soccer's governing body, are planning to make a comeback in style. It remains to be seen whether this decision will be followed to the letter, to avoid cases of fraud which put an end to the dream of a whole generation of promising footballers.
