Guinea’s national football team coach, Kaba Diawara, has announced significant changes ahead of the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Algeria and Mozambique.
In a bold move, Diawara has called up three uncapped, France-based players: teenage midfielder Soumaila Sylla from Stade de Reims, defender Rayane Doucouré from Red Star, and Nice’s Aliou Badara Baldé.
These selections underscore Diawara’s strategy to infuse fresh talent into the Syli Nationale as they aim to strengthen their bid for a spot in the 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Soumaila Sylla, 20, has primarily played for Reims’ reserve side in National 3, though he has been regularly training with the first team.
Despite his limited first-team experience, Sylla, who previously represented France at the under-18 level, has shown promise that Diawara hopes to capitalize on.
Rayane Doucouré, 23, has been pivotal in Red Star’s National title triumph.
His impressive performance in a three-man defense under former Senegal international Habib Beye has secured him a move to Ligue 2 for the next season. Doucouré’s defensive prowess is expected to bolster Guinea’s backline.
Aliou Badara Baldé, 21, brings the most senior-level experience among the trio, having made seven Ligue 1 appearances for Nice this season.
His extensive experience, which includes stints in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland, as well as representing Senegal at the 2019 Under-17 World Cup, makes him a valuable addition to the squad.
These new faces come at the expense of more established players like Morgan Guilavogui, who has struggled for game time at Lens. Additionally, captain Naby Keita is notably absent from the squad due to mental health reasons following a period of limited action at Werder Bremen.
Diawara’s selections reflect Guinea’s ongoing policy of tapping into their expanding pool of dual nationals. Established players such as Serhou Guirassy, Ilaix Moriba, and Aguibou Camara have been retained, while Valencia’s Thierry Correia has been omitted.
Guinea faces a daunting task, needing maximum points from their upcoming matches to keep their qualification hopes alive.
They trail Group D leaders Algeria by three points. The critical encounter against Algeria is set for June 6 in Algiers, followed by a home match against Mozambique on June 10 in Conakry.
Diawara’s bold approach demonstrates his commitment to revitalizing the team and exploring new talents as Guinea strives to secure a place in the 2026 World Cup.
The football community will be watching closely to see how these changes impact the Syli Nationale’s performance in these pivotal qualifiers.
