Guirassy earns Guinea vital win on Syli National’s return to Conakry

Serhou Guirassy scored the only goal as Guinea beat Kenya 1-0 in Conakry to revive their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Syli National needed a response after losing 2-1 to South Africa in their opening Group D fixture. Guirassy had described victory as “imperative” before Thursday’s match and delivered the decisive moment on his return to the national team’s home ground.

Guinea were far from their best in an evenly contested game, but secured the three points they needed. The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute, when Guirassy reacted quickest after a scramble inside the Kenya penalty area.

The goal sent the crowd at Stade du 28-Septembre into celebration and gave Guinea their first points of the qualifying campaign. It was also a significant occasion for the national side, who were playing an international match in Conakry for the first time since June 2022.

Guinea’s stadiums had been without international approval for several years, forcing the team to play its home fixtures away from the country. Their return in front of supporters therefore carried added significance, although the priority for Paulo Duarte and his players was simply to win after the defeat in South Africa.

The result moves Guinea on to three points, but they remain behind South Africa, who have six points from victories over Guinea and Eritrea. The Bafana Bafana followed their 2-1 win against Guinea with a 5-0 victory over Eritrea. Kenya and Eritrea have one point each.

The qualification picture remains particularly tight because Kenya, as tournament hosts, are automatically guaranteed a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. That means only one of South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea will claim the remaining qualification place from Group D.

South Africa retain a significant advantage, with three more points than Guinea and a considerably better goal difference. The Syli National remain in contention, but their margin for error is extremely small.

Guinea’s next matches will be against Eritrea in November, with the two sides scheduled to meet twice. Eritrea had earlier surprised Kenya by holding them to a 1-1 draw before losing to South Africa.

To maintain pressure on the Bafana Bafana, Guinea will need to take maximum points from both games before facing South Africa again in Conakry in March 2027.

After their opening defeat, Guinea’s immediate task was to stay in the race. Guirassy’s goal ensured they did exactly that.