Guinea disposes of Kenya and moves through

The Syli Nationale passed their do or die clash with the Harambee Stars of Kenya in Conakry today with flying colors. Guinea soared out to a 3-0 lead before allowing two late goals, one of them coming minutes before the final whistle. The final score of 3-2 was flattering for the visitors as Guinea dominated most of the game. The result sends Guinea through to the final 20 as winners of the group. Kenya progress as well as results from the previous day confirmed their place as well.

Guinea was aided by the return of Kémoko Camara who ended his brief international retirement by minding the nets for Guinea. His defense was marshaled by Bobo Baldé and Oumar Kalabane. Kamil Zayatte, Ibrahima Camara and Ibrahima Diallo were also in the back of a line up featuring heavily on defenders. In midfield were the trio of captain Pascal Feindouno, Mamadou Bah and Fodé Mansaré providing service for strikers Ismaël Bangoura and Mallorca’s Alhassane Keita.

It was Guinea who had everything to play for and they took the game to Kenya. Ismaël Bangoura scored his 5th goal of qualifying with an assist from Fodé Mansaré who reined havoc on Kenya’s flanks in 32nd minute. That was the score at the half.

Guinea did not relent in the second half and doubled the lead in the 61st minute via a Mamadou Bah header on a corner kick. Guinea was dangerous from set pieces the entire game and finally made Kenya pay with Bah’s header. Guinea’s size would also earn them their 3rd goal of the contest this time from a Kamil Zayatte header. Zayatte’s goal in the 71st minute effectively killed off the contest though Kenya did claw a goal back in the 81st minute. A second Kenya goal in the 93rd flattered the visitors and made the match seem tenser then it really was. In reality Guinea had sealed the sealed the victory with 20 minutes left to play and simply relaxed. They were never in any danger of throwing away the win.

The win meant Guinea became the final nation to make it into the final 20 eliminating Gambia in the process. The next stage of qualifying will be composed of 5 groups of 4 teams with the winner advancing to the World Cup in South Africa. The top 3 teams in each group will earn a berth in the African Cup of Nations in 2010 held in Angola. Joining Guinea in the next round are most of the usual suspects as well as a few surprise packages such as Gabon, Mozambique, Rwanda and Malawi.

The next important date for Guinea is October 22nd when the draw for the final group stage will be held. I will have more news leading up to that date including what the seedings will be and who Guinea could draw and who I want them to draw.

For now onwards march the Syli Nationale!