Latest news with #SyliLocal
CAF
3 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Serhou Guirassy's surprise visit fires up CHAN-bound Guinea
Guinea international star Serhou Guirassy has boosted the morale of the Syli Local squad with a passionate visit to their training base in Kindia, just days before the team departed for Morocco to continue preparations for the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024. The Borussia Dortmund striker, fresh off a spectacular season in which he scored 44 goals, made the stop as part of a broader humanitarian mission in his native country to launch his charity initiative. However, football was clearly at the heart of his agenda as he spent time encouraging the CHAN-bound squad. Guirassy, who also played a starring role for Dortmund during the recent Club World Cup in the United States, urged the locally-based players to seize the opportunity that CHAN offers and give their all to represent the nation proudly on the continental stage. 'Stay focused and give everything on the pitch,' Guirassy told the players. 'This is a huge chance to show what Guinea is made of. Fight with pride and make the nation proud.' The visit was warmly received by the Guinean Football Federation (FGF), with Mr. Mamadou Barry, FGF Vice-President, leading a delegation that welcomed Guirassy and his team. Also present were Mohamed Lamine Nabé and Hassimiou Barry, both members of the Executive Committee, who expressed their appreciation for the striker's show of solidarity. "On behalf of the Executive Committee, we thank Serhou Guirassy for this symbolic visit,' said Ibrahima Blasco Barry. 'It's a powerful gesture that means a lot to the players and the federation.' The Syli Local team, led by head coach Souleymane Camara, departed for Morocco shortly after the visit, where they will hold a six-day training camp from 13 to 19 July at the next phase of their CHAN preparations. The camp will focus on tactical refinements and cohesion before the team travels to Douala, Cameroon, for a mini-tournament. While in Cameroon, Guinea will face two fellow CHAN participants—Burkina Faso on 24 July and the Central African Republic on 28 July—in matches designed to simulate the high-pressure environment of the tournament. Both games will be played behind closed doors. Guinea have been drawn into a tough Group C featuring Algeria, Uganda, South Africa, and Niger, making every preparatory detail vital. Having reached the semi-finals in 2016 and 2020, Camara's side is aiming for a historic breakthrough at CHAN 2024, which kicks off 2 August and runs until 30 August, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Guirassy's visit is expected to leave a lasting impact on the squad, many of whom look up to the Bundesliga star as a symbol of what is possible through hard work, focus, and love for country.
CAF
6 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Guinea line-up Burkina Faso, CAR friendlies ahead of CHAN
Published: Wednesday, 16 July 2025 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.
CAF
15-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Guinea begin pre-CHAN 2024 training camps in Morocco and Cameroon
Published: Tuesday, 15 July 2025 Guinea have stepped up their preparations for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) with a two-phase training programme in Morocco and Cameroon as they target a breakthrough performance at the continental tournament co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The Syli Local touched down in Morocco on Sunday to begin a six-day intensive camp, which will run from July 13 to 19, before they travel to Douala, Cameroon, for a final warm-up series of friendlies ahead of the competition's August 2 kickoff. Head coach Souleymane Camara and his technical team are overseeing daily double sessions in North Africa as the West African side looks to fine-tune tactics, build fitness, and foster team cohesion. The team is scheduled to play two high-level warm-up matches in Douala against fellow CHAN 2024 participants Burkina Faso (July 24) and Central African Republic (July 28). The Guinean Football Federation (FGF) confirmed that both friendlies, along with all training sessions, will be held behind closed doors to ensure maximum focus and tactical secrecy. This year's tournament marks Guinea's fourth appearance at CHAN, having previously featured in 2016, 2018, and 2020. The Syli Local's best run came in 2016 and 2020, when they reached the semi-finals but fell short of reaching the final – losing to DR Congo and Mali respectively. Coach Camara is hopeful that this carefully structured preparation schedule will give his players the competitive edge required to go all the way. 'We want to break the barrier and reach the final for the first time,' he said ahead of the training camp. Guinea have been drawn in a tricky Group C alongside Algeria, Uganda, South Africa, and Niger – a group that promises high drama and fierce competition. The team's experience, mixed with fresh local talent, could make them a serious threat in the race for continental glory. CHAN 2024 runs from 2 to 30 August across three host nations – Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania – and features 16 of Africa's top national teams composed exclusively of home-based players.
CAF
09-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Guinea coach Camara looks beyond scoreline in CHAN 2024 preparations
Published: Wednesday, 09 July 2025 Guinea's home-based national team wrapped up a vital stage of their 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) build-up this week, using back-to-back clashes with regional rivals Senegal to sharpen their competitive edge ahead of the tournament. Although the Syli Local lost the second match 1-0 in Diamniadio on Monday—following a goalless draw in the first leg—head coach Souleymane Camara says his side came away with more than just a result. 'Performance, not the scoreboard, was our main focus,' said Camara, who led the team through five days of intensive preparation split between Conakry and Dakar. 'We wanted to give every player time on the pitch. These games offered us real test conditions to fine-tune our game plan.' The two encounters, far from gentle friendlies, were fiercely contested, highlighting the stakes involved even before the CHAN group stages begin in August. Camara underlined the competitive tone of the fixtures. 'It wasn't a friendly for us. This was high-intensity football. "These games were rich in lessons, and we'll go back with valuable footage and insights to help us fix the details before the tournament kicks off.' Despite the narrow defeat, Camara expressed optimism about the overall structure of the team, particularly in defence. 'Our organisation at the back held firm under pressure, which is encouraging. Offensively, we lacked sharpness in the final third. That's an area we're targeting in the next phase.' Guinea will now shift their base to Morocco, where an extended training camp is expected to further refine tactics, fitness, and cohesion ahead of CHAN 2024, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Drawn into Group C, Guinea will face stiff competition against Algeria, Uganda, South Africa, and Niger. But with valuable match rhythm and tactical clarity gained from their Senegal outings, the West Africans will be eyeing a strong tournament start in early August.
