Guinea Football Federation boss Antonio Souaré has aimed a dig at Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp for revealing that Naby Keita faces two months on the sidelines following the adductor injury he sustained in the 3-0 loss to Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday.
According to the statement released by the German coach on Friday, Keita's injury is bad news for Guinea as he would miss the Africa Cup of Nations, where they face Nigeria, Burundi and Madagascar in the group stage.
Souaré says it is too soon to draw this kind of conclusion and it's not up to the Liverpool coach to confirm the unavailability of Keita for Guinea.
''First of all we wish Naby a very good and quick recovery, as far as I know the adductors can not prevent him from playing the CAN2019 that will be played from June 22nd for Guinea,'' Souare told Football Factory Radio et TV.
''The adductors is 2-3 weeks of unavailability. The Liverpool coach (Jurgen Klopp) has to pull himself together, let the doctors do their job.
''The adductors is 2-3 weeks of unavailability. The Liverpool coach (Jurgen Klopp) has to pull himself together, let the doctors do their job.
''Naby Keita belongs to a country before belonging to Liverpool. I remind the Liverpool coaches a bit of the rules if he does not know.
''So it's hasty and pretentious to make statements like this.What we know is that Naby Keita will play the CAN 2019.''
''So it's hasty and pretentious to make statements like this.What we know is that Naby Keita will play the CAN 2019.''
Meanwhile Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr has picked Keita among the two stars players in the ranks of Guinea.
He told Goal.com France : ''We know a little more about Guinea even if it's been a long time since there was a match against them. They have a very good team with Kamano Girondins and Keita Liverpool .
''They finished in front of Ivory Coast all the same. Some think our group is easy and that's the danger.''
Nigeria face Guinea in their second Group B game on June 26 at the Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : liverpoolfc.com
Comments 0
Leave a Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!