AFCON 2023 - Dussuyer: "A fine performance from Guinea"
Former Syli National coach Michel Dussuyer was delighted with Guinea's result against Cameroon
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Is this draw with Cameroon a good result for Guinea?
Michel Dussuyer: Yes, and at the final whistle the Guinean supporters celebrated as if their team had won. Drawing with Cameroon, while playing the whole second half with 10 men after François Kamano's sending-off late in the first half, is a fine performance.
Can Guinea have any regrets?
They played forty-five coherent, interesting minutes, with movement and hunger, and were rewarded fairly quickly by Mohamed Bayo's goal. I think they could have put the game beyond doubt because they had the chance, against a really very disappointing Cameroon side. Then, once they were down to ten men, the game was no longer quite the same, and when Cameroon equalised through Magri early in the second half, I was worried.
"The game against Gambia will be very important"
Despite that situation, Guinea held firm…
Yes. The players showed a lot of hunger and self-sacrifice to protect that draw. Holding on to the scoreline like that, with the tiredness and the heat, is a good performance. Guinea were also helped by their opponents, who I found at times to be at a dismal level, with no ideas and no real game plan. Even at 11 against 10, the Cameroonians were never really dangerous and didn't create many chances.
Which Guinean players made the best impression on you?
As a team, it was interesting. I liked Mouctar Diakhaby at the back, very solid, Ilaix Moriba in midfield, even though he struggled physically towards the end, Aguibou Camara, very sharp and mobile, and Bayo for his goal.
Are you optimistic about the rest of the group stage?
The game against Gambia on Friday will be very important. With a win, Guinea would be almost through to the second round. But they will need to be wary of how this Gambian side reacts, after they lost heavily to Senegal (0-3). We will have to see how the players have recovered from their efforts against Cameroon, and how they cope without Kamano. It will be a tough game, but one Guinea can win.
Alexis Billebault