Pascal Feindouno

The final player profile is of Guinea’s star man: Pascal Feindouno. Feindouno is indisputably the most talented player available to the Syli Nationale and the man they rely on the most to create and score goals. He is their talisman as well as their captain. With Feindouno on the pitch, Guinea feel as though they have a shot to win every game, when he is not on the pitch that belief tends to evaporate.

Feindouno, now 27 years old, has been part of the national team set up through most of the decade and has played a pivotal role at three African Cup of Nations as well as a pivotal role in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup so far. With Guinea desperate for a victory heading into their third qualifying match back in June away to Namibia it was Feindouno who stepped to the plate and scored one of two goals in a massive 2-1 victory against Namibia. He again shined in the reverse fixture a week later scoring the opening goal in a 4-0 rout of the Namibians. While it was Ismaël Bangoura who was the star of the show with a hattrick, it was Feindouno who got Guinea off the mark as he so often does.

Feindouno has repeatedly proven his worth at Africa’s showcase event, the African Cup of Nations. Guinea of course are three times running quarterfinalists and Feindouno has been a big part of that. He scored 2 goals in the 2004 edition, 4 in 2006 and another 2 earlier this year. His total of 8 goals in the competition makes him one of the all time leading goal scorers in Nations Cup history. And considering his age he should continue to climb up that chart.

Feindouno is a supremely talented player, I don’t think anyone would object to that. Unfortunately he is also one of those all too common talented players that is a total headcase and erratic on the pitch. On his day Feindouno can be a match winner (see Guinea’s defeat of Morocco in the 2008 Nations Cup). However, on his day he is equally capable of self-destructing (see Guinea’s defeat of Morocco in the 2008 Nations Cup). That match against Morocco saw Feindouno score from a brilliant free kick, put Bangoura through for a goal on an impeccable through ball and convert the eventual winner from the penalty spot. Of course he also stupidly earned himself a two match ban for kicking a Moroccan player. A ban that would play a fundamental part in the 5-0 annihilation Guinea suffered against Cotê d’Ivoire in the quarterfinals.

You just never know what you are going to get with Feindouno which makes him even more dangerous. He may go the entire game without making his presence known but he is still one of those of players who can undo a defense in an instant after being invisible the whole game. While he is not at the Lionel Messi or Totti level, he still strikes fear in opposing defenses and is always a danger man.

One of his greatest strengths is his versatility. He can play as an out and out striker, as a playmaker or out on the wing. His ability to be employed in various roles on the pitch makes it easier to accommodate other attacking players without having to leave one of them on the bench. For Guinea he typically plays as a striker or playmaker. At whatever role he tends to find the back of the net.

At club level, Feindouno is currently at Ligue 1 outfit Saint-Etienne or is he? Yesterday his agent announced that he had moved to Qatari club Al-Sadd. Saint-Etienne claims he is still their player though Feindouno will seemingly be boycotting the club’s next match against Bordeaux. Just another indication of Feindouno the headcase. Despite being a major part of one of Saint-Etienne’s best seasons in decades culminating with a place in the Uefa Cup, Feindouno wants to move to the international wilderness that is the Qatari league. It is a move that is all about the money and nothing about progressing as a player. If he wanted to make a move to a bigger club in Europe then it would surely be more beneficial to play out the season with Saint-Etienne and display his skills in France and Europe (where he already has a goal in the Uefa Cup). If he just wants the money then Qatar is the better option. I hope he stays in France but that seems like it will only end in a messy divorce with Feindouno in self-imposed footballing exile.

Despite these club antics, Feindouno clearly wears the Syli Nationale shirt with pride. I can’t recall ever reading anything about him refusing an international call up. While many African nations like Togo, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa face constant battles with their star players boycotting matches, Guinea has never had to worry about that with Feindouno. He may sometimes still be a headcase in the Guinea shirt or a non-entity in a match, but at least he is always there playing for his country.

Just like he will be in October when Guinea have their crux qualifier against Kenya. A win or face the wrath of a nation match. A match in which all Guinea supporters will expect Feindouno the match winner. It is just another opportunity for Feindouno to be a national hero. An opportunity I suspect he will not slip through his fingers. Feindouno knows this is probably his last chance at going to a World Cup and he will not let Guinea crash out this early. Too bad he seems intent on sabotaging Saint-Etienne’s season.