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CAN 2024: the emotion and pride of Guinea after its historic quarter-final qualification
Victorious in a direct elimination CAN match for the first time in its history, Guinea experienced an evening full of emotion this Sunday after its 1-0 victory against Equatorial Guinea. But the national Syli does not intend to stop there.
Guinean players celebrate their victory against Equatorial Guinea with their supporters at the Alassane Ouattara stadium in Ebimpe on January 28, 2024. AFP - FRANCK FIFE
By: Pierre Fesnien Follow
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From our special correspondent at the Alassane Ouattara stadium in Ebimpé,
Some victories have more particular flavors than others. To see Kaba Diawara in tears on the edge of the field after Guinea's success against Equatorial Guinea this Sunday at the Alassane Ouattara stadium in Ebimpe, this meeting will definitely be classified in the category of those that we never forget , whether you are a player or a coach.
Also read: The rankings, results and calendar for CAN 2024
It must be said that this victory acquired in the last seconds of added time has all the makings of a historic qualification for the national Syli. Guinea has never won a knockout match in
an African Cup of Nations
. Thanks to a header from Mohamed Bayo well served by a cross from Ibrahim Diakité, the Guineans finally defeated the Indian sign.
“
If we can take the cup, we will take it
”
“
Even if the way isn't nice, even if it's last minute, we don't care. I said it, we shouldn't have played this match, we had to win it and that's what we did
,” said coach Kaba Diawara, still overcome with emotion, at a press conference. . “
I received a lot of criticism, but I knew there was quality in this team.
»
Proud and particularly moved, the Guineans have fully appreciated the feat achieved but they already have their heads turned towards the rest of the adventure. “
We don’t have a goal, we come to go as far as possible. Regardless of the opponent, we know that the match is Friday. We have no limits, if we can take the cup we will take it
,” assured Kaba Diawara.
Seeing the players celebrate qualification on the sidelines with their supporters who came to the stadium in large numbers,
the controversy surrounding the qualification bonuses not paid
after the first round already seemed a long way away. In any case, this did not in any way undermine the cohesion of a group which pulled in the same direction throughout a closed and highly contested match. "
It's incredible. This victory is historic, we dedicate it to the people who have suffered enormously in recent times
,” said the decisive passer of the evening, elected man of the match, Ibrahim Diakité. Like several of his teammates, he also called on his compatriots to celebrate this victory with restraint to avoid a repeat of
the excesses which cost the lives of at least six people
after Guinea's victory against Gambia in the first round.
“
We haven’t accomplished anything grandiose yet
”
But despite the general euphoria, some players wanted to remind people in the stadium corridors that the hardest part was still to be done. “
It’s nice but we haven’t accomplished anything grandiose yet,
” warned striker Serhou Guirassy.
When we are in the last four we will be able to talk about a great performance. We have to stay lucid and enjoy but we are competitors and we don’t want to stop there
.”
Read alsoCAN 2024: Guinea snatches its qualification at the very end of the match against Equatorial Guinea
Future opponents of Syli are now warned, Guinea does not intend to be satisfied with this historic qualification. “
It’s this type of match that we like to play. We are not satisfied. We came to the CAN to play seven finals. We have played four already, there are three left
,” said Syli goalkeeper Ibrahim Koné. Guinea's next "final" is in any case now known: Kaba Diawara and his players will face
DR Congo, victorious over Egypt
on penalties, on Friday for a place in the semi-final.
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