Borussia Dortmund hitman Serhou Guirassy is ecstatic to play an international game back home in Guinea again as the National Elephants face Kenya in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
After over four years, the West African side is set to play a match on their home turf again. While Guirassy takes contentment from the fact, he also feels its 'normal' for them.
Speaking to the press ahead of their match today in Conakry, he said:
"It’s completely normal for us to play at home, like the big nations do. Guinea is a great nation, so it’s only normal that we should be able to play at home. It’s a legitimate right."
He also counted on home fans' support in fulfilling their ambition of qualifying for the next year's AFCON showpiece among other major international tournaments:
"Of course, we’re very happy to be back home. We know that the support of our fans is essential if we want to participate in major competitions like the AFCON or even the World Cup. That is the bigger dream."
Guinean's national team had been unable to play at home due to their stadiums not meeting the CAF's requirements to conduct official matches. In fact, their last home game was on 9 June 2022, following which the side were barred from hosting fixtures in the country.
As international football finally returns to Guinean turf tonight, Guirassy urged his side to remain focused on an 'important' match with the Harambee Stars.
"We’re very happy. But we have to remain focused and not allow everything happening around us to distract us, because we know we have a very important match and we have to win it."
On account of being a co-host of the tournament, Kenya have already qualified but will be actively participating in matches during the group stages of the qualifiers. They held Eritrea to a 1-1 draw last week, and will now be aiming to throw the spanner in Guinea's works too.
Ranked 81st in the world, Paulo Duarte's side were beaten 2-1 by South Africa in their opening qualifier last week. Guirassy, who created their equalizer for Seydouba Cisse in the loss, felt it wasn't an easy result to digest.
"Obviously, after a defeat, it’s never easy. But I think there were some good things to take from that match in South Africa. Now we’re playing at home. That can create some pressure for us, but I think it’s a very good thing because the Guinean public is going to push us very strongly. There’s no choice — we have to win this match."
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