Diawara: I have always dreamt of playing for Guinea, not Italy

by Bertin Basson

Thursday Oct 11, 2018. 09:23

Napoli midfielder Amadou Diawara has dismissed claims suggesting that he rejected Guinea call-ups in the past in an attempt to keep his hopes alive of playing for the Italian national team.

The 21-year-old, who was born in Conakry, is set to make his debut for the Syli Nationale against Rwanda in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday.

Diawara has been in Italy for almost four years and has firmly established himself as a Napoli regular following his big money move from Serie A rivals Bologna in August 2016.

The midfielder had announced his international allegiance to Guinea earlier this year, but pulled out of a succession of call-ups due to injury, but Diawara is now set to finally make his national bow alongside the likes of Liverpool's Naby Keita.

"I have always dreamt of playing for Guinea because it is very important," Diawara told BBC Football. "I never said I would play for Italy."

"I was not ready yet to come to the squad. The moment is here, now I am ready to play for my nation.

"I think Guinea can get to a high level because there are good players. I too will try to bring something and we will help each other."