Guinea v. Kenya Preview

This is it. The final game of the first group stage. The final chance for Guinea to rescue a sub-par campaign thus far. The Syli Nationale hosts the Harambee Stars of Kenya in Conakry. Kenya currently leads the group and is guaranteed of second place. Guinea trail Kenya by two points and have no option but to win. Guinea cannot progress as a second place runner up unless Namibia defeats Zimbabwe and overturn a huge goal differential. That is not going to happen thus Guinea face a must win match. The task is that simple.

It would be almost unthinkable for Guinea to stumble out of World Cup qualifying at this point but that is what happens when you stumble out of the blocks in a very tough group. Guinea put themselves in this position with a slow start and an inability to defeat Zimbabwe away.

If this match was away then I would write off Guinea’s chances. Being at home gives them a sizable edge not to mention more quality in the side. However, it is Kenya who have performed from the get go and deserve to be in first place. If Guinea expects a walk in the park then they are going to be in for a big shock.

I expect Guinea to come out with a very attacking lineup as they have no choice but to win. They should have all the impetus and unleash an unrelenting onslaught on the Kenyan goal. If they can get out to an early lead then they can control the match and relax a bit. The longer the match stays deadlocked the more likely it is that Guinea will expose themselves at the back and press without suitable defensive coverage.

In the end with everything on the line and a rapturous crowd I expect the Syli Nationale to deliver. They know what this match means and they know that heads will roll if they fail. Robert Nouzaret’s job is almost certainly on the line. Guinea’s strength is in their attacking players. It is in attack where they have failed so far. Their attack will come good against Kenya emphatically. I predict a 4-1 victory for Guinea with two goals each for Ismaël Bangoura and talisman Pascal Feindouno. Maybe a tad optimistic but I cannot imagine Guinea faltering at this stage of World Cup qualification.