Duarte names Guinea squad for November double-header with Eritrea

Guinea manager Paulo Duarte has selected a 25-man squad for the two Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying matches against Eritrea on 12 and 16 November.

Amadou Diawara and Mouctar Diakhaby are the headline inclusions for the third and fourth-round Group D fixtures, with Eritrea ranked 183rd in the world.

Diakhaby has been recalled to the national set-up after last featuring for Guinea in September 2025, when he played in a 0-0 draw with Algeria under former manager Michel Dussuyer. The centre-back’s inclusion is also significant because it is the first time he has been selected by Duarte since the Portuguese took charge.

Yakhouba Gnagna Barry is another notable return after a four-year absence, while Thierno Barry has been brought back into the Syli National squad for the first time in five months.

Naby Keita, Mohamed Bayo and Morgan Guilavogui remain out of the squad. Ibrahim Diakite, who had been included in the previous selection, has been dropped.

The right-back came off the bench for 27 minutes in Guinea’s 2-1 defeat by South Africa before being left in the stands for the subsequent 1-0 victory against Kenya. His omission comes despite an important role for Cercle Bruges, where he has started seven of his 10 appearances this season.

Diakite now joins a group of players whose relationship with Duarte has been described as strained.

Mohamed Saliou Bangoura, Abdoul Karim Traore and Seydouba Cisse are unavailable because of injuries. Duarte has otherwise retained the core of the squad, including Sekou Sylla, Ilaix Moriba, Aguibou Camara, Morlaye Sylla, Aliou Balde and Serhou Guirassy.

Guinea sit second in Group D, three points behind leaders South Africa. Two victories against Eritrea would significantly improve their position as they aim to move closer to qualification for the 2027 tournament.

The national team missed the most recent Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, increasing the importance of securing a strong return to qualifying action.