Michel Dussuyer, the head coach of Guinea, has selected a 23-man squad for their 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Uganda and Somalia this month.
Notable absences include Saidou Sow, Mohamed Bayo, and Ilaix Moriba.
The French coach called up Ibrahima Sory Bangoura, a young player from Belgium, for the first time to the senior national team for the important games this month.
On March 21, the Syli National, who are currently in third place in their qualifying group, will host Somalia in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and on March 25, they will go to Kampala with Uganda.
Guinea needs to get as many points as possible to be in the running for the World Cup, since only the group winners are assured a spot.
Although there were concerns over Mohamed Bayo’s absence, reports said it was performance-based.
Bayo is now on loan at Royal Antwerp from Lille. Serhou Guirassy of Stuttgart is firmly established as Guinea’s first-choice striker, and the striker has failed to score in six games since January.
According to reports, Dussuyer turned down Ilaix Moriba’s request for a guaranteed starting position from Celta Vigo.
He was left out when Nantes defender Saidou Sow asked to stay with his expectant wife.
Naby Keita, a former midfielder for Werder Bremen and Liverpool, is another well-known absence.
The captain of Guinea is recuperating at Ferencvaros and should be ready to play again in June.
Key players like François Kamano, Abdoulaye Touré, and Serhou Guirassy will be available for the important doubleheader despite these alterations.
Experienced defenders Mouctar Diakhaby and Mohamed Ali Camara, who both recovered from injuries, are back in Guinea’s team.
Mady Camara (PAOK Salonique) and Morlaye Sylla (FC Arouca) bolster the midfield, while Serhou Guirassy, recently acquired from Borussia Dortmund, spearheads the assault.
Bangoura, a 21-year-old newcomer to the team, makes his first senior call-up after making an impression at KRC Genk in Belgium.
Guinea Squad
Goalkeepers:
Moussa Camara (Simba SC, Tanzania), Mory Keita (Hafia FC, Guinea), Soumaïla Sylla (Stade de Reims, France)
Defenders:
Mohamed Ali Camara (Young Boys, Switzerland), Antoine Conte (Igdir FK, Turkey), Ibrahima Sory Conté (UTA Arad, Romania), Ibrahim Diakité (Cercle de Bruges, Belgium), Mouctar Diakhaby (Valencia CF, Spain), Dembo Sylla (FC Dender, Belgium), Isiaga Sylla (Montpellier HSC, France), Sekou Oumar Sylla (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands)
Midfielders:
Ibrahima Sory Bangoura (KRC Genk, Belgium), Aguibou Camara (PFK Ludogorets, Bulgaria), Mady Camara (PAOK Salonique, Greece), Seydouba Cissé (CD Leganés, Spain), Morlaye Sylla (FC Arouca, Portugal), Abdoulaye Touré (Le Havre AC, France)
Forwards:
Aliou Badara Baldé (FC Lausanne-Sport, Switzerland), Algassime Bah (APOEL FC, Cyprus), Yadaly Diaby (Grenoble Foot 38, France), Kandet Diawara (FC Pau, France), François Kamano (Damac FC, Saudi Arabia), Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund, Germany)