Côte d’Ivoire Extinguish Guinea’s Dreams of a World Cup

As expected the Syli Nationale failed to defeat Côte d’Ivoire at home, falling 2-1. At first sight not an awful scoreline considering what happened back in Ghana a year and a half ago. But Guinea’s lone goal from Sambegou Bangoura was a result of comical goal keeping. Bangoura’s goal leveled the game at a goal a piece but things would not stay level long as Côte d’Ivoire eviscerated Guinea on the counterattack and Romaric put home the winning goal in the 70th minute to all but end Guinea’s chances of qualifying for their first ever World Cup. With 0 points from two games Guinea are still alive mathematically but realistically it is all over.

The qualifier from this group will be either Côte d’Ivoire or Burkina Faso whom are both on maximum points. It is now time for Guinea to turn their attentions on saving face and making it to Angola for the 2010 Nations Cup. The next two fixtures against Malawi should determine who makes it to Angola. On paper Guinea have the better team, but paper means nothing. Guinea should defeat the poor traveling Malawians at home. Away will be trickier but Guinea should be able to win in Malawi as well. In reality it may come down to just how fragile Guinea’s psyche is and how much will they have to make it to Angola. Malawi is not likely to quit. Guinea may well throw in the towel. Hopefully the players have too much pride for such a capitulation. We will find out soon.