Captain of the national team of Guinea, Naby Keita, has expressed that his teammates battled through the Africa Cup of Nations with love and passion for the West African nation.
Keita captained the side to the quarter-final of the tournament, before losing to DR Congo on Friday, February 2, 2024.
Despite going ahead through Mohamed Bayo in the 20th minute, Guinea lost their guard and allowed DR Congo to claw back to victory, courtesy of goals from Chancel Mbemba, Yoane Wissa, and Arthur Masuaku.
Naby Keita played all games for the National Elephants, barring their opening group game against Cameroon on January 15, 2024.
Following the country's quarter-final exit at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Keita shared on his Instagram page how highly they have valued the support of Mamady Doumbouya, Guinea's interim president.
Doumbouya is a Guinean military officer, who has been serving as the interim president of Guinea since the 1st of October, 2021.
The 43-year-old led a coup d'état on 5 September 2021 that overthrew the previous president, Alpha Condé.
Naby Keita assured the military ruler that the Guinean national team will “come back stronger.”
He wrote on Instagram: “We played the CAN with love and passion for our country. We would have liked to make you prouder and perform more.
“Unfortunately, we stopped in the quarter-finals. We were touched by your unconditional support. We will come back stronger. Together, we will go further.”
Guinea have never won the Africa Cup of Nations, with the closest they have been towards lifting the title, coming in 1976 when they finished as runner-up.
Keita made his debut for the West African nation on May 25, 2014, aged 19 years, 3 months and 15 days.
He has amassed 54 appearances for Guinea, scoring 11 goals and providing 4 assists thus far.
Naby Keita was handed his Guinean debut by Michel Dussuyer, in a 1-2 victory over Mali about a decade ago.
The 28-year-old has had a relatively successful career playing for some of the biggest clubs in football, including; Liverpool and RB Leipzig.
Keita currently plies his trade with Weder Bremen, having exited Anfield on July 1, 2023, on a free transfer.
Naby Keita couldn't cut it at Liverpool due to several factors, including injury, with him making 129 appearances for the club, scoring 11 goals and providing 7 assists in all competitions.
The former Red Bull Salzburg man is also having a difficult time in Germany with Werder Bremen, as he has made just 3 appearances for the club, scoring no goal and providing no assist in all competitions.
He last featured for the German side on December 15, 2023, in a 2-2 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach.
Weder Bremen sit 9th on the German Bundesliga table, with 26 points from 20 league matches.
Keita captained the side to the quarter-final of the tournament, before losing to DR Congo on Friday, February 2, 2024.
Despite going ahead through Mohamed Bayo in the 20th minute, Guinea lost their guard and allowed DR Congo to claw back to victory, courtesy of goals from Chancel Mbemba, Yoane Wissa, and Arthur Masuaku.
Naby Keita played all games for the National Elephants, barring their opening group game against Cameroon on January 15, 2024.
Following the country's quarter-final exit at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Keita shared on his Instagram page how highly they have valued the support of Mamady Doumbouya, Guinea's interim president.
Doumbouya is a Guinean military officer, who has been serving as the interim president of Guinea since the 1st of October, 2021.
The 43-year-old led a coup d'état on 5 September 2021 that overthrew the previous president, Alpha Condé.
Naby Keita assured the military ruler that the Guinean national team will “come back stronger.”
He wrote on Instagram: “We played the CAN with love and passion for our country. We would have liked to make you prouder and perform more.
“Unfortunately, we stopped in the quarter-finals. We were touched by your unconditional support. We will come back stronger. Together, we will go further.”
Guinea have never won the Africa Cup of Nations, with the closest they have been towards lifting the title, coming in 1976 when they finished as runner-up.
Keita made his debut for the West African nation on May 25, 2014, aged 19 years, 3 months and 15 days.
He has amassed 54 appearances for Guinea, scoring 11 goals and providing 4 assists thus far.
Naby Keita was handed his Guinean debut by Michel Dussuyer, in a 1-2 victory over Mali about a decade ago.
The 28-year-old has had a relatively successful career playing for some of the biggest clubs in football, including; Liverpool and RB Leipzig.
Keita currently plies his trade with Weder Bremen, having exited Anfield on July 1, 2023, on a free transfer.
Naby Keita couldn't cut it at Liverpool due to several factors, including injury, with him making 129 appearances for the club, scoring 11 goals and providing 7 assists in all competitions.
The former Red Bull Salzburg man is also having a difficult time in Germany with Werder Bremen, as he has made just 3 appearances for the club, scoring no goal and providing no assist in all competitions.
He last featured for the German side on December 15, 2023, in a 2-2 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach.
Weder Bremen sit 9th on the German Bundesliga table, with 26 points from 20 league matches.