Guinea will be the dark horses of Group B in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tournament behind fellow west Africans Nigeria.
Syli National (National Elephant) have appeared in nine AFCON tournaments and their best showing was as runners-up in 1976 when they lost to Morocco in the final.
From 2004 to 2008 the Guineans reached three successive AFCON quarterfinals but they failed to qualify for the 2010 tournament in Angola.
The west Africans have some mercurial talents at their disposal – Fode Mansare, Pascal Feindouno and Ismael Bangoura are prime examples – but they will have to be at their absolute best if they are to beat Nigeria to top spot in this qualifying group.
Their coach is Michel Dussuyer, a 51-year-old Frenchman who is having his second spell in charge of Guinea – in fact, managing the Syli National from 2002 to 2004 was his first full time, senior coaching appointment. In between, he took charge of French club AS Cannes and the Benin national team.
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