Guinea drawn into Group E

The draw for the final stage of CAF World Cup qualification took place today and the Syli Nationale has been drawn into Group E. Accompanying them on the journey will be Cotê d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Malawi.

I have seen a number of reports today saying it is a near certainty that Cotê d’Ivoire will qualify out of this easy draw by I see this being a very tightly contested group. From a Guinea perspective it is not particularly welcome seeing Cotê d’Ivoire in the group. Guinea was of course annihilated by Cotê d’Ivoire 5-0 in the Nations Cup earlier this year though that was by no means a full strength Guinea side that took the pitch. They also fell to the Elephants in a friendly in France this summer 2-1. So recent history does not bode well for Guinea in this match up. However, a home fixture in Conakry will give Guinea their best shot.

As for Burkina Faso they were one of the two sides I wanted to avoid out of Pot 3 along with Benin. It didn’t happen but no matter. While the Burkinabe were mightily impressive in the last stage, they also have a penchant for going awol. In qualification for Germany, Burkina Faso were pushovers in their group. They failed miserably in trying to make the Nations Cup in Ghana this year. They did finally wake up this term though and recorded the most impressive win of the first group stage by toppling Tunisia in Tunisia. If that Burkina Faso shows up then Guinea are in for two very tough encounters. However, that Burkina Faso may disappear once again. With the Burkinabe you just never know.

Finally lets discuss Malawi. The Flames of Malawi were one of the surprise qualifiers for the final stage out performing a more well regarded Democratic Republic of the Congo. At home the Malawians were most impressive, even shocking two times reigning African champions Egypt. They were not as good on the road which is to be expected. Malawi are not a well known side by any means but that did not stop Togo or Angola from qualifying for Germany as we know. Take them lightly at your own risk would be my advice to Guinea as well as Cotê d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. The big question with Malawi as it is with Burkina Faso is can they keep up their level of play? We will find out beginning in March of 2009.

This group gives Guinea a very good shot at making it to South Africa. Granted they will have to perform better than they did in the last group stage but that should not be too difficult. It also gives Guinea a decent shot of not even making it to Angola though. Cotê d’Ivoire should be favored in this group but in my opinion this group is wide open and any of the four sides could go through.

Here is the match schedule:

March 28, 2009 away to Burkina Faso
June 6, 2009 home to Cotê d’Ivoire
June 20, 2009 home to Malawi
September 5, 2009 away to Malawi
October 10, 2009 home to Burkina Faso
November 14, 2009 away to Cotê d’Ivoire

I will have some more thoughts posted this weekend.