Since they reached the finals of the 1976 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, Guinea has never been able to repeat that feat again. In fact, they went on to struggle on the continental stage, failing to qualify for the tournament that followed in 1978; being knocked out in the group stages in 1980; failing to qualify for a full decade between 1982 and 1992; being knocked out in the group stages in 1994, and 1998.
They made a promising comeback to the tournament in 2004, reaching the quarterfinals, and repeated the same accomplishment in two successive tournaments, 2006 and 2008, before they again failed to qualify for the 2010 edition, reverting back to their yo-yo phenomenon of participating in the tournament. They qualified for the 2012 episode, failed to qualify for the 2013 edition and are back for their 11th appearance in 2015.
They are most likely going to be the beating boys of Group D, in which they have been drawn alongside Cameroon, Mali and Ivory Coast.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Abdul Aziz Keita, Aboubacar Camara, Naby Yattara
Defenders: Florentin Pogba, Abdoulaye Cisse, Mohammed Diarra, Baissama Sankoh, Issiaga Sylla, Djibril Tamsir Paye, Kamil Zayatte, Fode Camara
Midfielders: Guy-Michel Landel, Lanfia Camara, Ibrahima Conte, Boubacar Fofana, Naby Keita, Kevin Constant
Forwards: Mohamed Yattara, Francois Kamano, Seydouba Soumah, Idrissa Sylla, Ibrahima Traore, Abdoul Razzagui Camara
– By Sipho Kekana
