The Guinea U23 team’s head coach, Morlaye Cisse, expressed his belief that his team was struck by misfortune in their play-off match against Mali at the TotalEnergies Caf U23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023.
In a match played at the Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier, Mali emerged victorious, defeating Guinea 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw.
“We were simply unlucky,” stated a disappointed Cisse after the match. Despite the result, the coach expressed pride in his players for displaying discipline and giving their utmost effort.
“We entered this tournament as underdogs, and no one expected us to reach this stage. However, we finished fourth and now have an opportunity to participate in a play-off and qualify,” explained Cisse.
Cisse mentioned that the team will return to the drawing board, strengthen their squad, and address any mistakes before the upcoming play-off.
“If given the chance to redo this competition, I would field the same players and approach the game in the same manner because I believe we performed well, but we were simply unlucky,” said Cisse.
The coach urged the nation to continue supporting these young players, emphasizing that they are defending their country’s honor.
He concluded, “Hope is not lost, and we will work tirelessly for this final opportunity to qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024.”
While the defeat may have been a setback, the Guinea U23 team remains determined to overcome the challenges and secure their place on the global stage.
