The World Cup 2022 qualifying game between Guinea and Morocco was postponed by the CAF (the African Football Association) and FIFA after an attempted military coup.
The two national teams were supposed to meet on Monday in Conakry, the Guinean capital. Following hours of heavy shots exchanged between the standing government and those who wanted to overturn it, the football match was called off. With the presidential palace under heavy attack, football authorities couldn’t guarantee the safety of the players, so playing the match as scheduled became impossible. Even though the location of the Guinean players is not currently known, they are “safe and well,” according to sources in Africa.
An FC Liverpool spokesperson said the club remains in contact with midfielder Naby Keita, who is being “well cared for.”
“We are satisfied that he is safe and well cared for,” Liverpool’s PR revealed. “Obviously, the situation is fluid and we will maintain regular dialogue with the relevant authorities as we work to get Naby back to Liverpool in a timely and secure manner.”
The Moroccan team and its staff, including PSG’s new recruit Achraf Hakimi, were escorted to their country following efforts from their embassy on Sunday. The players were initially trapped in their hotel, with local authorities suggesting they should stay inside.
Thank you all for the messages and the support, it has been a very intense day but thank God we are safe and sound in Morocco. Good night ✌ðŸ¾ðŸ‡²ðŸ‡¦ #Alhamdulillah 🤲🽠pic.twitter.com/99nJYTVpbn
— achrafhakimi (@AchrafHakimi) September 6, 2021
“Thank you all for the messages and the support, it has been a very intense day but thank God we are safe and sound in Morocco,” Hakimi posted on Twitter after arriving in his country.
Military forces in Guinea claim they have dissolved the government of President Alpha Conde. All land and air borders were closed. Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, a former French Legionnaire, is believed to be behind the uprising, along with an elite national army unit. Doumbouya went live on TV and announced plans to form a new government.
