Guinea: Reconstruction operation for the Syli National

Interesting beginnings of Paulo Duarte

After the departure of Michel Dussuyer following Guinea’s non-qualification for AFCON 2025, the Guinean Football Federation has chosen Paulo Duarte to open a new era. The Portuguese technician was appointed on August 11, 2025 with the task of straightening out the team, restructuring the selection, and detecting local talent.

A real hard worker and having proven himself at the head of several African selections including Burkina Faso and a 3rd place at the 2017 AFCON. In any case, the first results speak for him. Having made his debut on the bench of Syli National in September 2025, the 56-year-old technician has a record of 2 wins (against Somalia and Mozambique) and 3 draws (against Algeria, Botswana and Niger) in 5 matches. The team scored 8 goals and conceded 4. The first signs of renewal are already being felt.


Syli National
Paulo Duarte knows very well: he is very far from the account despite positive beginnings. His job is to allow Guinea to have this regularity in high-level performances. The former coach of Togo takes advantage of this period without matches for the selections, an ideal moment he chose to try to strengthen his squad. 

Recently, Paulo Duarte did a European tour (Spain, Italy, France, Belgium). In the point made by the secretary general of FEGUIFOOT, Ibrahima Barry Blasco, this tour allowed the coach to convince several players, whose names have not been revealed, previously reluctant to join the Syli. The Guinean Football Federation, for its part, has initiated procedures for changes of sports nationality in view of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, starting from September 21, 2026.

“What is obvious is that we should tell you that the mission went very well, both in Spain, Italy, France and Belgium. New binational players have been contacted and we have therefore collected the essential documents for the procedure of changing sports nationality for these players. This is in progress. There are also players who have remained reluctant for a long time, who, in a formal way, have given their agreement to be able to accompany the national team in the upcoming competitions, notably the upcoming qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations 2027.” 

 he declared at the end of the meeting of the FGF Executive Committee on January 27, 2026, at the Technical Center in Nongo.

Also having as a mission the detection of local talent, Duarte visited the KPC Academy in Khorira at the end of January 2026. The national coach went to touch what is being done at the base in order to reveal tomorrow’s gems.

Without making any noise, Guinea is preparing the next important events, notably the qualifiers for the AFCON 2027.