Youngster Bangoura handed maiden Guinea call up - Bayo, Moriba and Sow dropped
Guinea head coach Michel Dussuyer has named a 23-man squad for this month’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Somalia and Uganda, with notable omissions including Mohamed Bayo, Ilaix Moriba, and Saidou Sow.
Belgium-based Youngster Ibrahima Sory Bangoura was handed his first senior national team call-up by the French coach for this month's crucial matches.
The Syli National, who sit third in their qualifying group, will host Somalia in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on March 21 before traveling to Kampala to take on Uganda on March 25.
With only the group winners guaranteed a World Cup place, Guinea must secure maximum points to stay in contention.
The exclusion of Mohamed Bayo, who is on loan at Royal Antwerp from Lille, raised eyebrows, but sources indicate it was performance-based.
The striker has yet to score in six matches since January, with Stuttgart’s in-form forward Serhou Guirassy firmly established as Guinea’s first-choice striker.
Celta Vigo midfielder Ilaix Moriba reportedly asked for a guaranteed starting role, a request that Dussuyer declined.
Meanwhile, Nantes defender Saidou Sow requested to remain with his pregnant wife, prompting his omission.
Another high-profile absentee is former Liverpool and Werder Bremen midfielder Naby Keita. Guinea’s captain is working his way back to full fitness at Ferencvaros and is expected to return in June.
Despite these changes, key players such as François Kamano, Abdoulaye Touré, and Serhou Guirassy will be available for the crucial double-header.
Guinea’s squad sees the return of experienced defenders Mohamed Ali Camara and Mouctar Diakhaby, both of whom have recovered from injuries.
The midfield is reinforced by Mady Camara (PAOK Salonique) and Morlaye Sylla (FC Arouca), while Serhou Guirassy, fresh from his move to Borussia Dortmund, leads the attack.
A new face in the squad is 21-year-old Bangoura, who has impressed at KRC Genk in Belgium and earns his first senior call-up.
Guinea Squad
Goalkeepers: Moussa Camara (Simba SC, Tanzania), Mory Keita (Hafia FC, Guinea), Soumaïla Sylla (Stade de Reims, France)
Defenders: Mohamed Ali Camara (Young Boys, Switzerland), Antoine Conte (Igdir FK, Turkey), Ibrahima Sory Conté (UTA Arad, Romania), Ibrahim Diakité (Cercle de Bruges, Belgium), Mouctar Diakhaby (Valencia CF, Spain), Dembo Sylla (FC Dender, Belgium), Isiaga Sylla (Montpellier HSC, France), Sekou Oumar Sylla (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands)
Midfielders: Ibrahima Sory Bangoura (KRC Genk, Belgium), Aguibou Camara (PFK Ludogorets, Bulgaria), Mady Camara (PAOK Salonique, Greece), Seydouba Cissé (CD Leganés, Spain), Morlaye Sylla (FC Arouca, Portugal), Abdoulaye Touré (Le Havre AC, France)
Forwards: Aliou Badara Baldé (FC Lausanne-Sport, Switzerland), Algassime Bah (APOEL FC, Cyprus), Yadaly Diaby (Grenoble Foot 38, France), Kandet Diawara (FC Pau, France), François Kamano (Damac FC, Saudi Arabia), Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund, Germany)
Head Coach: Michel Dussuyer
Upcoming Fixtures:
Guinea vs Somalia – March 21, 21:00 GMT, Abidjan
Uganda vs Guinea – March 25, 16:00 GMT, Kampala