TANGIER- Guinea lost the CAN U-23 classification match to Mali this Saturday, July 7 in Tangier, Morocco. The Syli lost on penalties (4-3) after the 0-0 draw in regulation time. In front of the cameras, the Guinean players under 23 and their coach were all dejected after this result which does not yet qualify Syli for the next Olympic Games.
To see Paris in 2024, the Guineans will have to play a play-off match, the opponent of which has yet to be determined. Morlaye Cissé says he regrets the few chances obtained but badly negotiated by his team. The former Guinean international promises that he and his players will give their all to be there in Paris.
« In a competition like this, when you have the opportunity to dominate and you don’t score, in the end you may regret, and that’s what happened today, unfortunately (…) But you have to continue to work. The competition is not over yet, we still have a chance to qualify and take on other reinforcements. But, at the time, the most important thing is to remobilize the boys and tell them that it’s not over yet… I know that they are disappointed, because they gave everything during this tournament, and we hope that this upcoming play-off match will allow us to qualify for the Paris Olympics Morlaye Cissé still hopes.
Guinea therefore finished fourth in this U-23 African Cup of Nations, Morocco 2023. It should be remembered that Guinea’s last participation in the Olympic Games dates back to 1968 in Mexico City.
Mohamed LAMINE TOURÉ, from Morocco
