World Cup Dreams Squashed in Ouagadougou

Guinea’s hopes of qualifying for a World Cup for the first time in their history came to an end at the hands of Burkina Faso on Saturday after the Stallions ran rampant in a 4-2 win. Yes, it is only one game but it is more than enough to illustrate that the Syli Nationale do not have what it takes to make it to the World Cup.

Had they lost 1-0 or even 2-1 my tune would be much different. But they didn’t. They lost 4-2. Once again their defensive frailties were exploited to full effect. In two friendlies prior to this match Guinea gave up three goals in each match. They also gave up two goals in their previous qualifier to Kenya. That match was at home. That is more than enough evidence to show that Guinea’s porous defense is just that porous. So much so that any real chance of qualifying for the World Cup went down the drain in Ouagadougou.

Burkina Faso went after Guinea early like expected knowing that a quick goal could potentially open the flood gates. They got that quick goal courtesy of Mahamodou Kere in the 23rd minute. Guinea’s defense capitulated from that point on. Alain Traore added a rapid fire second goal in the 30th minute. Guinea’s defense conceded an early penalty kick in the second half and Momouni Dagano capitalized from the spot for 3-0. Guinea did quickly pull a goal back from the penalty spot courtesy of Pascal Feindouno but in an act of defiance Burkina Faso responded equally quickly, once again via the lethal Momouni Dagano to make it 4-1. Kamil Zayatte added a meaningless goal four minutes from time to get the final score.

That Guinea wilted after the first goal is little surprise. I’m sure the Burkinabe players were hoping for just that outcome and they got it. Obviously Guinea needs to make some changes at the back but whether they have the options is another matter. Guinea started a number of defensive players but it didn’t help in preventing the Burkinabe onslaught on their goal. One option is to weed out old warriors like Bobo Baldé and Oumar Kalabane who have served the national team proudly for the past decade for younger players. Whether such younger players exist to slot in and form a sturdier defense is in question though. Still it seems like it is a worth the shot.

One thing I know is that the next fixture, at home to Côte d’Ivoire does not figure to go well if Guinea’s defense continues on the path it has been on over the last six months as well as in their most recent encounters with Côte d’Ivoire. A win in Conakry would revive their World Cup hopes which are on life support at the moment but such a result seems out of the question after yet another defensive catastrophe.