Serhou Guirassy’s surprise visit fires up CHAN-bound Guinea
Guinea international star Serhou Guirassy has boosted the morale of the Syli Local squad with a passionate visit to their training base in Kindia, just days before the team departed for Morocco to continue preparations for the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024.
The Borussia Dortmund striker, fresh off a spectacular season in which he scored 44 goals, made the stop as part of a broader humanitarian mission in his native country to launch his charity initiative.
However, football was clearly at the heart of his agenda as he spent time encouraging the CHAN-bound squad.
Guirassy, who also played a starring role for Dortmund during the recent Club World Cup in the United States, urged the locally-based players to seize the opportunity that CHAN offers and give their all to represent the nation proudly on the continental stage.
“Stay focused and give everything on the pitch,” Guirassy told the players.
“This is a huge chance to show what Guinea is made of. Fight with pride and make the nation proud.”
The visit was warmly received by the Guinean Football Federation (FGF), with Mr. Mamadou Barry, FGF Vice-President, leading a delegation that welcomed Guirassy and his team.
Also present were Mohamed Lamine Nabé and Hassimiou Barry, both members of the Executive Committee, who expressed their appreciation for the striker’s show of solidarity.
"On behalf of the Executive Committee, we thank Serhou Guirassy for this symbolic visit,” said Ibrahima Blasco Barry.
“It’s a powerful gesture that means a lot to the players and the federation.”
The Syli Local team, led by head coach Souleymane Camara, departed for Morocco shortly after the visit, where they will hold a six-day training camp from 13 to 19 July at the next phase of their CHAN preparations.
The camp will focus on tactical refinements and cohesion before the team travels to Douala, Cameroon, for a mini-tournament.
While in Cameroon, Guinea will face two fellow CHAN participants—Burkina Faso on 24 July and the Central African Republic on 28 July—in matches designed to simulate the high-pressure environment of the tournament. Both games will be played behind closed doors.
Guinea have been drawn into a tough Group C featuring Algeria, Uganda, South Africa, and Niger, making every preparatory detail vital.
Having reached the semi-finals in 2016 and 2020, Camara’s side is aiming for a historic breakthrough at CHAN 2024, which kicks off 2 August and runs until 30 August, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Guirassy’s visit is expected to leave a lasting impact on the squad, many of whom look up to the Bundesliga star as a symbol of what is possible through hard work, focus, and love for country.