Guinea will be taking part in its 15th AFCON finals. At the last two editions, the team was eliminated at the Round of 8 stage. Their first objective will be to reach this stage. Clearly it's not going to be easy in Pool C, which they share with Cameroon, Senegal and Gambia but they can hope to capitalize on the current success of Serhou Guirassy to take them to the competition, and achieve an unprecedented feat.
The country
Capital: Conakry
Surface area: 245,857 km²
Population: 19. 649 618 million inhabitants
Official language: French
Inhabitants : Guinean / Guinéenne
Motto: Work, Justice, Solidarity
Team nickname: Syli national
Guinea and the AFCON
Title: 0
Final: 1
Appearances prior to AFCON 2023: 14
Host country: 0
AFCON history
1970: eliminated in group stage
1974: eliminated in group stages
1976: 2nd in final round
1980: eliminated in group stage
1994: eliminated in group stage
1998: eliminated in group stage
2004: Quarter-final
2006: Quarter-finals
2008: Quarter-finals
2012: eliminated in group stage
2015: Quarter-final
2019: Round of 16
2022: Round of 16
Record at AFCON
43 matches
13 wins
16 draws
18 defeats
61 goals scored
62 goals conceded
Syli's rising star and No.1 attacking asset: Serhou Guirassy
Naby Keita is the star of the Guinean team. Unfortunately, the former Liverpool and Leipzig player won't be starting the AFCON in top form, following a series of injuries that have left his fitness questionable. Fortunately, Guinea's ranks include another sure bet and rising star of African soccer, in the shape of Serhou Guirassy. The Stuttgart striker, who has made an extraordinary start to the season with 17 goals in 14 league games, will be attacking the African Cup of Nations with the status of one of the most eagerly awaited and scrutinized players.
The coach: Kaba Diawara
Kaba Diawara is the coach of the Guinean national soccer team. The technician took over the reins of the team, of which he had been assistant since 2019, in October 2021, just ahead of the AFCON 2021. For his first AFCON experience, he was eliminated by Gambia in the Round of 8. Despite this result, the Guinean Federation has decided to continue with him, who will now be taking part in his 2nd AFCON.
Prior to his coaching career, Kaba Diawara was a professional footballer.He played for a host of clubs and championships, including France, England, Turkey and Spain.His CV includes spells with some of the world's biggest clubs, including Arsenal, PSG and Marseille.
Diawara also played for Guinea (2004-2009).During this period, he won 29 caps and scored 11 goals.As a player, he took part in the AFCON in 2006.A coach with a wealth of experience.
Guinea's schedule in Group E
January 15: Cameroon-Guinea 5 p.m.
January 19: Guinea-Gambia 8 pm
January 23: Guinea-Senegal 5 p.m.
Guinea, relatively speaking, is pinning its hopes on the 27-year-old to carry the national team, or to pull it along in his wake. He will be playing in his first continental competition with the Syli. He joined Guinea in March 2022. Since then, he has taken part in 12 matches, scoring 3 goals.
