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Arouca midfielder Morlaye Sylla has had his dreams of representing his country at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations dashed after he was left out of Guinea's squad for the tournament following a disagreement with the team's head coach
Guinea's preparations for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have taken an unexpected turn, with midfielder Morlaye Sylla being notably absent from the squad. The exclusion follows a controversial incident involving a prized jersey, accusations, and a locker room dispute.
Vinicius Junior jersey incident
Sylla, who has been an important fixture at Portuguese club Arouca, found himself at the centre of a dispute after Guinea's friendly match against Brazil in June. Following their 4-1 loss, Sylla exchanged shirts with Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior, a common practice among footballers as a sign of mutual respect.
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However, the situation took a dramatic turn when Sylla's exchanged jersey with Vinícius Jr. mysteriously vanished in the dressing room. Convinced that foul play was involved, Sylla reportedly pointed fingers at his teammates before levelling a serious accusation against Guinea's head coach, Kaba Diawara, accusing him of theft.
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In an attempt to resolve the matter, an aggrieved Sylla insisted on a thorough search of the entire dressing room. The demand for an investigation heightened tensions within the team, creating a contentious atmosphere.
Sylla's excluded from Guinea's AFCON Squad
Sylla's refusal to apologise and the ongoing discord surrounding the jersey incident have resulted in his exclusion from Guinea's AFCON squad. Despite earning 23 caps for the national team, the fallout from the accusation and the subsequent locker room dispute have come at a high cost for the 25-year-old midfielder.
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Guinea, set to face Cameroon on January 15, followed by matches against Gambia and reigning champions Senegal, will embark on their AFCON campaign without Sylla. The absence of a player with Sylla's experience and skill could impact the team's dynamics as they aim for success in the prestigious tournament.
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As Guinea enters the AFCON without one of its key midfielders, the focus now shifts to resolving the dispute and ensuring team unity. The outcome of Guinea's AFCON journey will not only be determined by on-field performances but also by how the team manages internal issues and strives to maintain a cohesive and focused unit throughout the competition.
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