The State of Play
Kaba Diawara has a Guinea side that have performed admirably so far with four points from two matches. They defeated Gambia by a goal to nil the other day and have a very strong core that includes the likes of Mouctar Diakhaby and Ilaix Moriba. They will be stern opposition for most teams in this competition as we prepare to move into the knockout stages.
The defending champions, Senegal, have started their campaign extremely well. They hammered Gambia by three goals to nil before then dispatching of Cameroon by three goals to one on Friday. The Senegalese have been the strongest team on the continent for some time and will be keen on ensuring they remain top of their group by avoiding defeat in this one.
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Team News
Guinea only have minor injury concern for their final group stage game against the Senegalese. Antoine Conte was replaced during their first game but he did come back at half-time against Gambia with Ibrahim Diakite starting that match.
Senegal have not yet won the group but Aliou Cisse will be tempted to rest some of his star players, such as Lamine Camara and Sadio Mane, as they prepare for the knockout stages that start at the weekend.
Expected Line-ups
Guinea: Kone; Conte, Diakhaby, Jeanvier, I. Sylla; Moriba, Toure; Guilavogui, Camara, S. Sylla; Bayo
Senegal: E. Mendy; F. Mendy, Koulibaly, Kouyate, Jakobs; P. Sarr, Ciss, I. Gueye; I. Sarr, Jackson, Ndiaye
What they Said
Kaba Diawara has confirmed that Guinea’s key man, Serhou Guirassy, will finally be fit and available for this final game but it is not known if he will start: “It is no secret that Guirassy will participate against Senegal. We have missed his contributions, but we also have full confidence in Mohamed Bayo.”
Aliou Cisse has been discharged from hospital after initially being treated for chest pains. The former Birmingham midfielder said his team ‘must remain focused’ after their impressive defeat of Cameroon the other day.
When and How to Watch
The game at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium will kick off at 20:00 on Tuesday January 23rd and will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK. Subscribers to Sky Sports can alternately stream the game online via the ‘Sky Go’ app.
Prediction
As mentioned, Senegal will be intent on ensuring top spot and the avoidance of a defeat against Guinea would be enough for them to earn that. Guinea, on the other hand, will likely be content by simply easing their way through and into the knockout stages. Absolutely nothing happening in the game would suit both sides and, as a result of that, a fairly low-scoring, uneventful encounter is to be expected.
