The 2023 African Cup of Nations kicks off in less than three weeks’ time in Côte d’Ivoire, from 13 January to 11 February 2024. Serhou Guirassy’s Guinea is expected to take part, and Kaba Diawara has just unveiled his official list for the competition. After the list was published, Ibrahima Cissé, the Guinean star who had dreamed of taking part in the tournament, lashed out violently at his coach.
Ivory Coast will host the 2023 African Cup of Nations from 13 January to 11 February 2024. Guinea Conakry, who have inherited the group of death alongside defending champions Senegal, Cameroon, who finished third at the last CAF Africa Cup of Nations, and Gambia, the surprise team at the 2021 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, are hoping to cause a sensation.
But in Conakry, there is no time to lose. Syli National coach Kaba Diawara
unveiled his 25-man squad for the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday. During the RTG news programme, the former Canal + Sport Afrique consultant unveiled his list of 25 players on whom he is counting for a great 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. While the list includes key players such as Naby Keita, François Kamano and Serhou Guirassy, Kaba Diawara has apparently left out some frustrated players. Such is the case with Ibrahima Cissé (29-year-old defensive midfielder for Russian club FK Ural).
Ibrahima Cissé has been ruled out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, but lashes out at Kaba Diawara
Ibrahima Cissé (20 caps, 1 goal) will not be going to the 2023 African Cup of Nations. The 29-year-old defensive midfielder, who played for Fulham and Standard Liege, is having a tough time not being selected for the Africa Cup of Nations being organised by Côte d’Ivoire.
After the publication of Kaba Diawara’s shortlist, Ibrahima Cissé posted a message on his Snapchat in which he violently insulted his coach.
He was clearly taunting a friend (Doudou Maams) whom he was addressing: “What did I tell you about this shitty coach?” he blurted out, followed by the emoticon that describes his anger.
“You have to insult his mother, he’s not even a coach. This country works backwards. Unheard of, zero consistency,” added the former Belgium international.
Guinea in the group of death
Kaba Diawara’s Guinea had the misfortune to be drawn in the group of death for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. The Syli National will take on defending champions Senegal, who are looking to repeat their monumental feat of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Next up are Vincent Aboubakar’s Cameroon, third at the last CAF Africa Cup of Nations, and Gambia.
Kaba Diawara knows that the task is not an easy one, and that they will have to be strong if they are to progress to the second round. But the Syli National will be counting on the man in form at the moment, Serhou Guirassy, the terror of Bundesliga defences. The Guinean international has been stringing goals together like pearls, and is the talk of Europe. Indeed, a number of top clubs are already making enquiries in a bid to sign him this winter.
Ibrahima Cissé’s unexpected exit after the publication of Kaba Diawara’s list is bound to have an impact on the morale of the squad. In fact, his post has gone viral on the web, and football fans in Conakry have been talking about it for several hours. In any case, the coach has already published his list and nothing will change!
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