Souleymane Camara hails ‘victory of belief’ after hard-fought Guinea win
Guinea coach Souleymane Camara rolled the dice with a bold selection of young players — and it paid off, just about — as his side edged their opening fixture at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024.
Backed by the passionate Comité National des Supporters de Guinée, the Syli National started nervously and lacked fluency early on, but managed to carve out a narrow win that Camara described as "a victory of belief."
A new generation takes centre stage
Known for favouring a 4-3-3 formation built on possession and measured buildup, Camara fielded an energetic but inexperienced starting XI — a decision shaped by the absence of several senior players.
“We came prepared with a different strategy and young players who gave their all,” the coach said at the post match press conference after Guinea's 1-0 win over Niger.
“We had a few experienced players who couldn’t play, but I believe that with hard work, we will achieve good results.”
Despite their youth, Guinea's wide players were the heartbeat of the performance.
Alhassane Bangoura, later named Man of the Match, was a constant threat down the flanks alongside Ousmane Dramé and Mohamed Bangoura, whose pace and directness repeatedly stretched the opposition.
Winning ugly, learning quickly
Guinea’s tactical approach leaned heavily on quick transitions and wide overloads after winning possession — a strategy that delivered the game’s clearest scoring chances. But Camara’s side also showed their limitations, particularly in building out from the back.
“We managed to secure the three points. Naturally, we are happy with the result — our goal is always to win, no matter by how much — and we’ll correct our mistakes to improve,” Camara admitted.
A persistent issue came from overcommitted full-backs, especially on the right side, where Guinea were caught out defensively on several occasions.
The long-ball clearances, while necessary at times, also disrupted the attacking rhythm the coach seeks to build.
Eyes already on Uganda test
Guinea’s next assignment will be against tournament hosts Uganda, and Camara is already focused on improving cohesion and tactical discipline before that key Group C clash.
The coach’s emphasis on “belief and hard work” has clearly resonated with the squad, and their tenacity will be crucial as they face tougher opposition in the coming matches.
Guinea’s quiet warning
While the performance may not have been emphatic, Guinea’s ability to grind out a result while experimenting with a younger squad sends a quiet warning to their rivals.
If Camara can find the right balance between discipline and expression — and if Bangoura continues to shine — the Syli National could emerge as one of the surprise packages in CHAN 2024.