WHILE Zifa are battling to retain Kalisto Pasuwa as Warriors coach, Guinea mentor Luis Fernandez has named a 23-man strong squad to face the Warriors in the September 6 2017 Afcon qualifier in Harare.
BY MICHAEL MADYIRA
Riled by a false start to their Group L campaign in which they lost 2-1 to Swaziland in neutral Morocco, Guinea are desperate to breathe life in their bid to qualify for the 31st Afcon edition to be hosted by Gabon.
Fernandez has summoned a 23 men squad for the Warriors tie including former captain and Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Ibrahima Traoré whom he is battling to persuade to come out of retirement.
Traoré was the scorer when Guinea beat Zimbabwe 1-0 in a 2014 World Cup qualifier at the National Sports Stadium three years ago years ago.
The Syli Nationale, as Guinea are commonly referred to in African football, will arrive in Harare with a squad dominated by players who took part at this year’s Afcon tournament where they reached the last eight.
Also included in the squad is former AC Milan midfielder Kevin Constant who now turns out for Trabzonspor in Turkey.
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Rayo Vallecano forward Alhassane Bangoura has also muscled his way into Fernandez’ plans as well as defender Florentin Pogba, brother to Juventus midfielder and France international Paul Pogba.
However, Zimbabwe is still struggling to tie down Pasuwa who they continue to persuade to change his mind after he parted ways with the football association over the non payment of his salaries and allowances as well as what he called poor administration.
Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze admitted that the association was having sleepless nights trying to persuade Pasuwa.
“We have been in constant contact with Pasuwa and his handlers. We are optimistic that something fruitful will come out in time so that we can name the squad to take on Guinea in time,” Mashingaidze said.
Guinea squad:
Goalkeepers: Naby Yattara (Unattached), Abdul Aziz Keita (AS Kaloum), Nouhan Conde (Satellite)
Defenders: Florentin Pogba (AS Saint-Etienne, France), Fode Camara (Horoya AC), Issiaga Sylla (Gazelec Ajaccio, France), Oumar Diop (El Hoceima, Morocco), Ibrahima Sory Bangoura and Ben Sékou Camara (both Horoya AC)
Midfielders: Mohamed Diarra (Odense, Denmark) Lanfia Camara (Patro Esden, Belgium), Naby Keita (Salzburg, Austria), Boubacar Fofana (Madeira, Portugal), Kevin Constant (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Ibrahima Traoré (Borussia Mönchengladbach, Germany)
Forwards: Idrissa Sylla (Anderlecht, Belgium) Sekou Keita (Evian, France), Alhassane Bangoura (Rayo Vallecano, Spain), Seydouba Soumah (Qadeseyah, Kuwait), François Kamano (SC Bastia, France), Aboubacar Demba Camara (Gaziantepsport, Turkey), Alkhaly Bangoura (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia), Mohamed Yattara (Standard Liege, Belgium)
