Bangoura’s brilliance shows, but Guinea’s regrets linger
Guinea’s captain Alhassane Bangoura walked off the pitch in Kampala on Friday night with the look of a man caught between pride and disappointment.
His display had electrified the stands, his teammates leaned on his leadership, and the jury awarded him the TotalEnergies Man of the Match.
Yet, for the winger, the accolade was little consolation in the shadow of Guinea’s elimination from the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) after their 1-1 draw with Algeria.
A captain who never stopped running
Operating from the right wing, Bangoura embodied Guinea’s spirit. He attacked with pace and precision, using his dribbling to torment Algeria’s backline and constantly creating imbalance in the final third.
His contribution to the build-up of Ismaël Camara’s opener was another reminder of his tactical awareness.
Just as telling was his work without the ball — tracking back, plugging gaps, and marshalling younger teammates to maintain shape.
It was the second time in the tournament he collected the Man of the Match award, underscoring his consistency and value.
Frustration behind the smile
Bangoura’s words after the final whistle painted a different picture to the smile on his face when he held the trophy.
The Guinean skipper admitted the result left a bitter taste.
“I would like to dedicate this award to my teammates and the people of Guinea, who have supported us until now,” he reflected.
"Of course, I would have preferred to win the match to earn points and see how that would have benefited us in the tournament. Today, we lacked the finishing touch to convert our opportunities.
For Bangoura, personal recognition was secondary to collective progress — progress Guinea could not secure after conceding an 88th-minute equaliser.
A career shaped by resilience
Born in Conakry on 30 March 1992, Bangoura’s football journey has taken him from the streets of the Guinean capital to Europe’s top leagues.
He has worn the colours of Rayo Vallecano and Granada in Spain, and later showcased his talent with Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer.
Known for explosive acceleration, one-on-one skills and vision, his playing style has long carried both flair and responsibility.
In Guinea’s CHAN campaign, that experience was evident — whether driving attacks or setting the tone with disciplined defending.
Lessons for the future
Bangoura was candid when asked about Guinea’s broader campaign, admitting that critical losses earlier in the group left them chasing shadows.
“We lost two important games that we could not afford to lose. There will undoubtedly be many regrets, but we will come back, learn our lessons, and work for the future,” he said.
Those words may echo in Guinea’s dressing room long after the tournament ends. For a squad brimming with young talent, the reminder that lessons matter more than regrets could be vital.
A leader beyond the results
Against Algeria, Guinea fell short of victory, but Bangoura’s performance reinforced his standing as both a leader and symbol for Guinean football.
His influence stretched beyond goals or assists — it was in the energy he injected, the example he set, and the refusal to give in even as elimination loomed.
For Guinea, the CHAN may be over, but Bangoura’s determination ensures the story is not finished.