Concerns over Guinea captain Naby Keita's absence from the squad have sparked an ongoing dispute between Keita's representatives and Paulo Duarte, head coach of the national team.

The controversy started when Duarte implied that Keita and other experienced players hadn't accepted invitations to play for the national team. To put it simply, the Portuguese coach was looking to collaborate with footballers who were both eager and able to play for their nation.

Thierno Amadou Makadji, Keita's advisor, has vehemently disagreed with the coach's account, arguing that the midfielder never explicitly declined to play for Guinea.

As Makadji discussed the matter further, he accused Duarte of concealing information about the player's absence. He asserted that Keita was originally chosen for the national team, given his plane ticket, and then abruptly cut from the squad.

The adviser's remarks have further complicated the dispute, especially since Keita had already expressed his desire to play for his country again.

The former Liverpool midfielder's dedication to Guinea was echoed by Makadji, who praised his resiliency in returning from injury to play for Guinea at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

He went on to say that Duarte should own up to his selection choices and that the coach should not doubt the dedication of veteran players.

Since Guinea's quarterfinal loss to DR Congo in February 2024 at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Keita has not played a single game for the national team.

Also omitted from the most recent roster for the November 12 and 16 AFCON qualifying matches against Eritrea in 2027 was the midfielder.

The Guinea captain's return to international duty is still up in the air due to the fact that both sides have given conflicting accounts of what happened.

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