As the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) approaches, Guinea’s locally-based national team, the Syli Locaux, are gearing up to shoulder the hopes of a football-loving nation. Following the senior team’s failure to qualify for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), expectations have shifted toward the homegrown squad to restore national pride on the continental stage.
With the tournament scheduled to take place from August 2 to 30, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, the Guinean Football Federation is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to build a formidable team. A 26-man provisional squad, led by head coach Souleymane Camara, has already begun an intensive training camp in Senegal as part of preparations. The overseas stint, which started on July 2, is designed to provide the team with high-level competition exposure ahead of the demanding tournament.
As part of their buildup, Guinea will face reigning CHAN champions Senegal in two highly anticipated friendly matches on July 4 and 7 in Dakar. These fixtures are expected to offer the Syli Locaux a valuable benchmark of their current form, tactical readiness, and ability to respond under pressure key ingredients for success in Group C, where they face a tough lineup that includes Algeria, South Africa, Niger, and co-hosts Uganda.
However, the squad selection has stirred debate among fans and pundits. One of the biggest talking points is the surprising exclusion of Moussa Moise Camara, the top scorer in Guinea’s domestic league. The absence of such a prolific forward has sparked speculation, especially given the lack of an official explanation from the technical bench.
Despite this controversy, the selected squad reflects a well-balanced mix of experience and rising talent. Players from Guinea’s traditional football powerhouses Horoya AC, Hafia FC, and Milo FC form the core of the team. They are complemented by standout performers from smaller clubs such as Renaissance FC, SAG, and CI Kamsar, signaling a broader national effort to elevate untapped talent.
In midfield, the team boasts creative and industrious players like Salifou Camara, Ousmane Drame, and Mohamed Bangoura, who are expected to orchestrate play and maintain tempo. The attack is spearheaded by familiar names such as Yakhouba Gnagna Barry and Aboubacar Bachir Bangoura, who will carry the goal-scoring burden in the absence of Moussa Moise Camara.
As the CHAN 2024 tournament draws nearer, all eyes in Guinea will be fixed on the Syli Locaux. For the players, it’s not just about winning matches it’s about restoring national pride and proving the worth of local talent on Africa’s grandest homegrown stage.
