Guinea line-up Burkina Faso, CAR friendlies ahead of CHAN
Guinea have lined up two high-profile friendly matches against Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic (CAR) as part of their final preparations for the upcoming TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024.
The Syli Local are scheduled to face fellow CHAN-bound nations in Douala, Cameroon, in what will be their final competitive tests before the tournament kicks off on 2 August in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The Guinean Football Federation (FGF) confirmed that the matches will take place behind closed doors, with the first friendly scheduled against Burkina Faso on 24 July, followed by a second fixture against the Central African Republic on 28 July.
The two opponents represent a serious test for coach Souleymane Camara's side, with both teams also eyeing strong runs at CHAN 2024.
Burkina Faso have emerged as one of the rising forces in West African football, while the Central African Republic are determined to impress in their return to the competition.
'These matches are more than just friendlies – they are a benchmark to test our progress and readiness for the tournament,' said head coach Camara.
'We expect two competitive games that will give us the clearest picture yet of our strengths and the areas we still need to improve.'
The warm-up games come at the tail end of Guinea's second phase of preparation, following a six-day intensive camp in Morocco that runs from 13 to 19 July.
The team arrived in North Africa to focus on tactical drills and build team chemistry before flying to Cameroon for the friendlies.
Guinea will be making their fourth appearance at CHAN and have set their sights on a historic final after reaching the semi-finals in 2016 and 2020.
They are drawn into a challenging Group C alongside Algeria, Uganda, South Africa, and Niger – a pool that offers no easy fixtures.
Camara has placed a strong emphasis on discipline and mental strength throughout the team's buildup, and the two friendlies are expected to play a critical role in finalising his squad selection and preferred starting XI.
The CHAN 2024 tournament features national teams made up exclusively of players who play in their domestic leagues, offering a platform to showcase local talent on the continental stage.
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