AFCON 2021: Big Blow For Guinea As They Advance To R16 Without Naby Keita

The Syli national have advanced to the AFCON R16 as runners-up in group B, but they will be without skipper – Naby Keita, who was booked against Zimbabwe for a second game running.

The Liverpool midfeilder and his teammates lost to Zimbabwe (2-1), but earlier results permitted Guinea to advance as second in group B.

Keita’s booking came as a result of trying to lift an injured goalkeeper Shumba to his feet. The 26-year-old was trying to save some time as his team trailed with a quarter of the game to go.

Zimbabwe scored first in the game courtesy of her poacher, Knowledge Musona. The skipper rose above the Guinean pair of Kante and Mohamed, to put the Warriors ahead on the 26th minute.

With two minutes to the pose, Mahachi found space in the ark of the Guinea area, and speared a crisp shot past goalkeeper Aly Keita.

Naby Keita through some personal action caressed the ball forward, and as he continually got invitation – to shoot from the Zimbabwe defense, he unleashed a canon with his left foot, that beat Shumba.

Due to some loss of cool and eagerness to equalise, Keita got booked by referee Salima Mukansanga, meaning he loses the next game.

Coach Kaba Diawara told reporters post match that, his team will have to play the round of 16 for their captain, who gave his all for the team in the group stage.

Naby Keita prior to the game picked up successive man of the match awards in games against Malawi and Senegal.

Guinea await their opponents of the next round in a draw that will be conducted later this week.