Guinea gamble on fitness of Liverpool famous person Keita for Africa Cup
Guinea has selected Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita for the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt this month, notwithstanding worries about his thigh damage.
“I am now not but completely in shape to play,” admitted the 24-year-old celebrity to Guinean TV after Belgian train Paul Put named his 23-man squad for the biennial African soccer showpiece.
“After schooling with the ball at Liverpool, I even arrived at the Guinean schooling camp in Morocco and am equipped to train with the group.
“I need to reassure Guinean supporters, the coaches, and the relaxation of the squad that I trust I will be equipped for our first health.”
Guinea, who’ve misplaced heat-up fits against the Gambia and Benin, launch their Group B campaign in Egypt towards Madagascar on June 22, at some point after the match kicks off.
Keita was injured gambling for Liverpool against Barcelona in a UEFA Champions League semi-final closing month, and supervisor Jurgen Klopp stated he would be sidelined for two months.
Guinea and three-time champions Nigeria are favored to qualify for the knockout 2nd spherical from a collection completed through debutants Burundi and Madagascar.
Winners and runners-up from the six businesses boost alongside the first-class four 0.33-area finishers in a competition accelerated to 24 international locations for the first time.
– Abubakar unnoticed –
The Guineans got here closest to winning the Cup of Nations in 1976 after they completed runners-up to Morocco after the most effective version determined by a mini-league.
Meanwhile, Vincent Aboubakar, the ahead who scored the aim that received 2017 very last for Cameroon, will now not go to Egypt amid doubts about his fitness.
He resumed schooling closing month with Porto after a prolonged absence due to knee harm, and Indomitable Lions instruct Clarence Seedorf isn’t always convinced he is in shape.
In his absence, Cameroon will look to the likes of in-shape Villarreal ahead of Karl Toko Ekambi for dreams as they seek lower back-to-returned titles for a second time.
Aboubakar scored mins from time in Libreville two years ago to seal a 2-1 come-from-behind very the last triumph over document seven-time champions Egypt.
They should not have too many problems qualifying from Group F, where they meet four-time champions Ghana and much less bold Benin and Guinea-Bissau.
Former Dutch celebrity Seedorf has protected 10 of the squad that emerged as shock 2017 champions, which include Ekambi.
He recalled 35-12 months-old Fenerbahce goalkeeper Idriss Carlos Kameni, who was not selected for the closing tournament.