Guinea areback on the biggest stage of African football after they failed to qualify for the event staged in Angola last year.
Before that failure, they had had appeared at the last three editions of the competition.
They finished top of Group B ahead of highly-rated Nigeria, Ethiopia and Madagascar.
The closest they have come to becoming African champions was in 1976 when they lost out by a point to Morocco in a final round-robin format that also included Nigeria and Egypt.
A lot wasexpected of the Syli Stars at the 2008 competition in Ghana, but they were outclassed 5-0 by Cote d'Ivoire in the quarter-final.
France-based goalkeeper Naby Yattara was impressive in the qualifiers and the team are now a fine blend of youth and experience.
Experience comes in the form of long time talisman Pascal Feindouno and big central defender Bobo Balde, while Germany-based midfielder Ibrahima Traore and Kevin Constant represent the new generation.
UAE-based striker Ismael Bangoura is always a goal threat while new skipper Kamil Zayatte, who once featured for English side Hull City, has brought stability in the defence.
Frenchman Michel Dussuyer has made the most of his second stint with the team. Last year, he led Benin Republic to the Nations Cup in Angola.
Former international star Titi Camara is now the country’s sports minister and so this team could be rest assured they will get all the backing they need to fulfil the huge promise they have shown over the years.
Djamel Benlamri of Algeria challenged by Martinez Kante of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Riyad Mahrez of Algeria celebrates goal as Mohamed Yattara of Guinea looks on during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Adlane Guedioura of Algeria challenged by Mohamed Yattara of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mikael Dyrestam of Guinea challenged by Mohamed Belaili of Algeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Baghdad Bounedjah of Algeria challenged by Ernest Seka of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Sofiane Feghouli of Algeria challenged by Ernest Seka of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Riyad Mahrez of Algeria challenged by Ibrahima Cisse of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mohamed Belaili of Algeria challenged by Amadou Diawara of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Baghdad Bounedjah of Algeria challenged by Ernest Seka of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mohamed Yattara of Guinea challenged by Adlane Guedioura of Algeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mohamed Belaili of Algeria challenged by Mikael Dyrestam of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Adlane Guedioura of Algeria challenged by Mohamed Yattara of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mady Camara of Guinea challenged by Riyad Mahrez of Algeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Martinez Kante and Mikael Dyrestam of Guinea warm up during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Ibrahima Traoré of Guinea leads a warm up during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Guinea players warm up during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Guinea players arrivals during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Guinea players arrivals during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Guinea players arrivals during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Guinea players arrivals during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Guinea changeroom general view during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Guinea changeroom general view during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Guinea changeroom general view during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Guinea changeroom general view during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Guinea changeroom general view during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Guinea changeroom general view during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Algeria and Guinea at 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 07 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mohamed Yattara of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Mohamed Yattara of Guinea wins Total Man of the Match Award during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Sory Kaba of Guinea shoots, closed down by Omar Ngando (l) and Nsabiyumva Frederic of Burundi during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Mohamed Yattara of Guinea (r) celebrates goal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Guinea and Burundi players observe moment of silence for former DR Congo striker Pierre Ndaye Mulamba during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Ibrahima Traoré of Guinea challenged by Hussein Shaban of Burundi during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Nduwarugira Christophe of Burundi pulls back Mohamed Yattara of Guinea and is sent off vt referee Noureddine el Jaafari during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Nduwarugira Christophe of Burundi pulls back Mohamed Yattara of Guinea and is sent off during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Nduwarugira Christophe of Burundi reacts in disappointment after red card, consoled by teammate Omar Moussa during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Mohamed Yattara of Guinea celebrates goal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Guinea Team Picture during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Burundi Team Picture during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Guinea Fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Gael Bigirimana of Burundi (r) during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Sory Kaba of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
General View of Guinea team arrivals during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
General View of Burundi changeroom during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
General View of Guinea changeroom during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
General View of stadium during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
General View of Guinea changeroom during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
General View of Burundi changeroom during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Amadou Diawara of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Nsabiyumva Frederic of Burundi during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Guinea Fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
General View of Guinea team arrivals, Julian Jeanvier (l) during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
General View of Guinea team arrivals, Julian Jeanvier (l) during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
General View of stadium during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Burundi and Guinea at the Al Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Naby Keita of Guinea chats to media during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals press conference for Guinea at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 29 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Naby Keita of Guinea chats to media during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals press conference for Guinea at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 29 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Paul Put, head coach of Guinea chats to media during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals press conference for Guinea at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 29 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Naby Keita of Guinea chats to media during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals press conference for Guinea at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 29 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Paul Put, head coach of Guinea chats to media during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals press conference for Guinea at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 29 June 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Francois Kamano of Guinea challenged by Odion Jude Ighalo of Nigeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Leon Balogun of Nigeria challenged by Ibrahima Traore of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Peter Etebo of Nigeria challenged by Francois Kamano of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Moses Simon of Nigeria takes a shot at goal while challenged by Ernest Seka Boka of Guinea (5) during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Ibrahima Cisse of Guinea challenged by Odion Jude Ighalo of Nigeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Ahmed Musa of Nigeria challenged by Dyrestam Mikael Bertil of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Ahmed Musa of Nigeria challenged by Dyrestam Mikael Bertil of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Ernest Seka Boka of Guinea clears ball from Alexander Iwobi of Nigeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Leon Balogun of Nigeria clears ball from Sory Kaba of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Amadou Diawara of Guinea challenged by Alexander Iwobi of Nigeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Temitayo Olufisayo Aina of Nigeria challenged by Ibrahima Cisse of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Alexander Iwobi of Nigeria challenges Amadou Diawara of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Moses Simon of Nigeria challenged by Ernest Seka Boka (l) and Naby Deco Keita of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Sory Kaba of Guinea challenged by Josiah Kenneth Omeruo of Nigeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Moses Simon of Nigeria challenged by Ernest Seka Boka of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Falette Simon Augustin of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Naby Deco Keita of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Naby Deco Keita of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Guinea fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Guinea fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Guinea fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Guinea fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Gv of the match ball during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Guinea team arrival during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Ibrahima Cisse of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Naby Deco Keita of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Falette Simon Augustin of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Paul Put, coach of Guinea during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Guinea team arrival during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mohamed Mady Camara of Guine during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Gv of Nigeria dressing room during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Field preparations during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Gv of Nigeria dressing room during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Field preparations during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Gv of Alexandria Stadium during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Field preparations during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Field preparations during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Field preparations during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Gv of Alexandria Stadium during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Total branding during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Gv of Alexandria Stadium during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Gv of Alexandria Stadium during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria on the 26 June 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Guinea
COMMENTS
Sign in to comment