Guirassy and Guinea drop last group stage match, but nonetheless advance to AFCON knockouts

By Peter Weis @PeterVicey

In a wild end to Group C on the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, a Guinean aspect that includes each VfB Stuttgart ahead and SV Werder Bremen attacker Naby Keïta within the beginning XI dropped their last group stage fixture in opposition to defending African continental champions Senegal 0-2.

The Guineans not solely misplaced out on the possibility to beat the champions, but additionally noticed themselves overtaken by 2017 AFCON title holders Cameroon for second place within the group.

Courtesy of the truth that Kaba Diawara’s “Syli Nationwide” did glean 4 factors from their first two group stage video games, nonetheless, the Guineans nonetheless managed to clinch development to the Spherical-of-16 as a third-placed-side

Serhou Guirassy Fédération Guinéenne de Soccer

With all three Bundesliga representatives in his beginning XI, Kaba Diawara’s Guinean nationwide soccer workforce headed into a monster last group stage match-up in opposition to defending champions Senegal on Tuesday night. After a thigh damage stored him out of his nation’s first two group stage matches, VfB Stuttgart scoring sensation Serhou Guirassy was inserted instantly into the beginning XI of the Syli Nationwide.

After logging some minutes instead within the second group stage match, SV Werder Bremen attacking midfielder Naby Keïta began instantly behind Guirassy in a 4-2-3-1. RB Leipzig loan-out – as has been the case for the reason that very starting of the competitors – maintained a beginning position in Diawara’s midfield. Moriba performed 73 minutes. Guirassy and Keïta – as a consequence of their respective damage points – have been each taken off within the 63rd.

A primary half extra distinguished for bookings than scoring possibilities drew to a detailed with the scoreline nonetheless degree at 0-0. The defending champs – spurred on by none aside from former FC Bayern München attacker Sadio Mané – ratcheted up the stress after the restart. After knocking on the door for a while, the Lions of Teranga snatched the opener by way of an Abdoulaye Seck tally simply after the hour mark.

Marseille attacker Iliman Ndiaye doubled the benefit because the match entered second-half damage time, a while in any case the present German footballing representatives had exited proceedings. Guirassy hardly ever noticed a lot of the ball and did not register a shot on course. Keïta recorded 35 touches, assisted on one shot, and labored cross into the field. Moriba once more did nicely in midfield, finishing 88 % of his passes and profitable half of his floor duels.

Group C got here to a wild conclusion as Cameroon and the Gambia traded three targets within the last minutes of the concurrent kickoff. The Gambian Scorpions turned a 0-1 deficit in opposition to the 2017 continental champions right into a 2-1 lead with simply 5 minutes remaining. Sadly, Tom Saintfiet’s aspect then shortly turned the ball again into their very own web within the 87th. The Indomitable Lions then re-took the lead at 90+1.

For a short second, it appeared as if the Gambian’s had drawn degree once more. Video overview, nonetheless, clearly verified that Gambian sub Bubacarr Saneh had knocked the 3-3 previous the keeper together with his fist. The match ended with Cameroon profitable 3-2. Rigobert Track’s Lions snatched second place and automated qualification out of Guinea’s palms on the third tiebreaker.

4 factors from three matches however proves adequate for Guirassy, Keïta, and Moriba to advance to the Spherical-of-16. The Nationwide Elephants at present discover themselves in first place among the many 4 third-placed groups who could qualify for the subsequent spherical on this 24-team-tournament. Solely Zambia, Algeria, and Namibia nonetheless have an opportunity to overhaul.

Group C’s conclusion does formally remove Ghana, who had little or no hope of progressing following final night time’s draw with Mozambique. The desires of match hosts Cote d’Ivoire stay on life help following final night time’s collapse. The Ivorian Elephants nonetheless require assist from the three nations with overtake potential.