Guinea begin mind games as Duarte boycotts press conference

However, when the team arrived for the match day minus one training session, Duarte was leading the proceedings on the pitch, a clear sign of mind games. 

Duarte is under pressure to qualify Guinea for the AFCON tournament in the Pamoja region, after they failed to make it to last year’s tournament in Morocco. 

Guinea Team Liaison Officer (TLO) Jesse Kalalu confirms Duarte’s mind games...

"So there's no valid reason for the head coach not being here, he just didn't want to come and instead wanted to focus his attention on the pitch. I tried to convince him to come to the press conference but he didn't want to be here."

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Duarte sent his third assistant coach Mamadouba Sylla instead to the press conference, who was snubbed by the media, with most of the questions going to the player.

Guinea have not won in their last four matches, and there’s been a lot of things going on in their camp and their federation, but the Syli National defensive midfielder Mory Konate denies that Duarte is under pressure... 

"The coach decided against being here, not because he is facing any pressure, we don't think he is. The team is very motivated and they really want to impress and get a result against Bafana Bafana on Saturday.