Guinea vs Niger

Niger was the biggest surprise to have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations, knocking out South Africa and Egypt in the process. Now, the country looks to deal another knockout punch to Guinea, with a ticket to AFCON 2013 at stake.

Niger has often been known as an African nation that although they have hung in with some of the toughest teams in Africa, Niger never put a string of results to make something. The country’s best chance to qualify for a major came for the 1982 FIFA World Cup, when Niger was one of the last eight teams in contention.

However, when the country won all three home games and lost all three road games in AFCON 2012 qualifying, Niger emulated the same feat they did in AFCON 2004 qualifying. Only unlike the 2004 campaign, Niger was the only team in their qualifying group to win all three games at home, despite only scoring six goals in qualifying. Those home victories were enough for Niger to advance.

The first goal Niger scored in qualifying sent shock waves throughout Africa: at home against Egypt, winners of three consecutive AFCON titles Moussa Maazou scored to help Niger defeat Egypt. William Tonji N’Gounou made history at AFCON 2012 for Niger: his first international goal was also Niger’s first ever AFCON goal. Still, despite a valiant effort, Niger finished bottom of the group without a point.

Guinea, on the other hand, endured a shocking exit at AFCON 2012. Guinea reached AFCON 2012 with a multitude of players scoring. Among those who found the net were Balde and Ibrahima Traore: the latter scored the tying goal against Nigeria to send Guinea to AFCON 2012 at Nigeria’s expense. In the tournament, Guinea scored seven goals in the group stage: six came against Botswana, which were most in its group. Despite two goals each from Abdul Camara and Sadio Diallo in the group stage, Guinea failed to reach the quarterfinals.

Currently the most capped player on Guinea’s roster, Bobo Balde helped Guinea reach the AFCON quarterfinals in 2004, 2006 and 2008. That was the first knockout stage appenace for Guinea since 1976, impressive considering that Guinea was at one point barred from qualifying for major tournaments.

Captain Pascal Feindouno is Guinea’s active leader in goals with 21. As a member of the national team since 1999, Feindouno helped Guinea reach the knockout stages three times.

Guinea and Niger met in qualifying for AFCON 1976 and 2004. Guinea won both qualifiers against Niger in the 1976 qualifying phase, while each team won at home in qualifying for 2004. Niger also won a friendly against Guinea 3-1 in 1994.

Following AFCON 2012, Niger has lost against Egypt and Algeria 1-0 and 3-0, respectively. In World Cup qualifying, Niger held one of its group stage opponents Gabon to a scoreless draw and lost in Congo 1-0.  Guinea, on the other hand, held the Ivory Coast to a scoreless draw and lost to Cameroon 2-1. Guinea began World Cup qualifying winning in Zimbabwe 2-1, but lost at home to Egypt 3-2 days later.

In qualifying for AFCON 2004, Guinea edged Niger for a spot in the group stage. Will Guinea edge Niger again, or can Niger pull off another shock to reach AFCON 2013? The answer will come this October.