Burundi v Guinea: Keita in contention despite Nigeria withdrawal
June 29, 2019 15:46 MYT
Guinea coach Paul Put will run a late fitness test on midfielder Naby Keita before deciding whether the Liverpool star should face Burundi in the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.
The National Elephants are third in Group B and victory over Burundi would give them a chance of progressing to the knock-out stage.
Keita has played in both of Guinea's games so far, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2-2 draw with Madagascar and then playing from the start before being withdrawn after 71 minutes of a 1-0 defeat to group leaders Nigeria.
The 24-year-old arrived at the tournament short of fitness after sustaining an adductor muscle injury in the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona in early May.
But ahead of his country's final group game on Sunday, he said a member of Liverpool's staff had given him the all-clear.
Keita said, quoted by Guinean news website kibaro224.com: "A Liverpool doctor checked me yesterday and I was fine. I'm not going to say I'm sure I'll play tomorrow.
"I may be playing. After tonight's practice, the coach will decide."
He added: "Against Nigeria I didn't go out with injury. That's because I wasn't supposed to play more than 40-50 minutes."
Nigeria needed 3 points to ensure qualification to the round of 16, and got it with a 1-0 win against Guinea. For more: https://t.co/BY133sYxW4 #TotalAFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/WraXxE6kOg
— CAF (@CAF_Online) June 26, 2019
Burundi head coach Olivier Niyungeko insisted there is still hope for his side to progress to the knock-out stage despite succumbing to 1-0 defeats in both of their opening two group games.
After Nigeria beat Niyungeko's men in their competition debut, Madagascar picked up their first AFCON victory in the nation's 72-year history when they edged Burundi 1-0 courtesy of Marco Ilaimaharitra's 76th-minute goal.
But Niyungeko said the result did no justice to his side's performance, and set his sights on taking all three points against Guinea.
"I don’t think we deserved to lose [against Madagascar] because we created the chances to score,” Niyungeko told reporters.
"I am sad we couldn't get a win and now this makes our work harder for us.
"We can't lose hope, we will continue fighting. We will go in and give everything we have to ensure we win the last game against Guinea."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Burundi - Cedric Amissi
An experienced international who can play in defensive or attacking roles, Al Taawon's Amissi scored in Burundi's final warm-up game against Tunisia and enjoyed a good season at club level in 2018-19.
If Burundi can supply him with a chance or two, Amissi has the capability to bury anything that falls his way inside the box.
Guinea - Naby Keita
Guinea coach Paul Put has pushed hard for Keita to be part of his squad and if the Liverpool man is anywhere near match fit it seems likely he will play.
The midfielder's energy and creativity could give Guinea the edge they need against Burundi.
KEY OPTA FACTS
- This will be the first game between Burundi and Guinea in the Africa Cup of Nations.