Bafana AFCON Rivals Rocked By Naby Keita Captaincy Storm As Camp Breaks Silence

Head coach Paulo Duarte and the camp of veteran midfielder Naby Keita had a public argument about Keita's persistent absence from the national team, which drew Guinea's national team into new controversy.

The topic has garnered a lot of interest as Keita's camp has vigorously denied that their client, the former Liverpool midfielder, declined a call-up to play in the qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Guinea is trying to improve their standing in African football after its 2027 AFCON qualifying match against South Africa, so the issue couldn't have come at a worse moment. The national setup comes under scrutiny as rumours of animosity between the coaching staff and a nationally known football figure surface.

Duarte has stated his disinterest in pursuing individuals who supposedly did not react favourably to invites to play for the national team. According to the Portuguese strategist, he is more comfortable coaching players that give their best for Guinea and are always available for the national team.

Nevertheless, such argument has been vigorously challenged by Keita's side.

The midfielder's advisor Thierno Amadou Makadji said that the Guinea coach had been coy about the full details of the player's absence. Makadji claims that Keita was supposedly left off the final roster for the international meeting in September after having already been picked and given his plane ticket.

Makadji denied that the player had ever betrayed his nation and asked what had happened to cast doubt on his devotion.

He also reminded fans of Keita's devotion during the 2019 AFCON competition, when the midfielder allegedly pushed himself to represent Guinea while coping with injury issues.

The advisor went on to critique Duarte's managerial style, saying that veteran players should be treated with more dignity instead of being made to seem like they don't want to play for their nation.

Meanwhile, Keita's ongoing absence has become a big conversation issue ahead of Guinea's forthcoming AFCON 2027 qualification matches against Eritrea on November 12 and 16.

The midfielder, who now plays for Hungarian team Ferencvaros, has not represented Guinea since their quarter-final loss to DR Congo at the 2023 AFCON in February 2024.

For Duarte, the aim is constructing a competitive club with players eager to answer his calls. Nevertheless, the coaching staff may face additional difficulties due to the escalating controversy involving the national captain.

The issue is still unsettled, and Guinean fans are waiting for Keita's international future to be clarified, because both sides have presented conflicting accounts.

Source https://x.com/Soccer_Laduma/status/2117640529089294591?a=bBdVb55OHFNkH5P21JE&s=19