Guinea Coach Paulo Duarte Launches Diaspora Scouting Drive Ahead of 2027 AFCON Qualifiers
Guinea national team head coach Paulo Duarte has begun an extensive Diaspora scouting mission as preparations gather pace for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The Portuguese tactician will travel to Europe and the Gulf region between January 10 and 20, accompanied by his assistant De Ruiz Ramos Tiago and team manager Ousmane Decazy Camara. The tour forms part of a broader strategy to rebuild and strengthen the Syli National squad following recent disappointments.
In a statement, the Guinea Football Federation (FEGUIFOOT) said the primary aim of the trip is to evaluate the commitment and readiness of Guinea-eligible players based abroad, while also reinforcing the federation’s institutional presence and credibility.
“The mission will allow the technical team to assess the motivation of players representing Guinea, strengthen the image of the FGF, establish structured contact with clubs and key stakeholders, and gain a deeper understanding of each player’s sporting, contractual and personal situation with a view to future integration into the national team,” FEGUIFOOT said.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar are among the key destinations on Duarte’s itinerary, reflecting the growing number of Guinean internationals plying their trade in the Gulf.
Rebuilding After AFCON 2025 Failure
Guinea are looking to reset after failing to qualify for the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco, having finished third in Group H behind Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The upcoming 2027 AFCON qualifiers, which will determine the 24 teams set to compete in the finals co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, are scheduled to begin on March 24 and run through to November 2026.
Duarte was appointed in August 2025 following the departure of French coach Michel Dussuyer, who left the role in May after a string of disappointing results in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The experienced Portuguese coach brings a proven AFCON pedigree, having guided Burkina Faso to a third-place finish at the 2017 tournament. His current focus on Diaspora talent underlines Guinea’s determination to build a competitive squad capable of returning to the continent’s biggest stage in 2027.
With early groundwork now underway, all eyes will be on how effectively Duarte can blend overseas-based players with local talent as the Syli National plot their road back to AFCON.
