PARIS- All of Guinea dreamed of seeing Serhou Guirassy win the 2024 African Golden Ball, he who was a serious contender for the coronation. Unfortunately, the player from Dortmund in Germany will still have to be patient before hoping to win this trophy in the future. Abdoul Karim Bangoura AKB, former international and captain of Syli, was fully behind his compatriot whom he supported. In this other interview that he gives to GuineefootAKB explored several current topics related to Guinean football.
Guineefoot: What is your view on the CAF Awards ceremony in Morocco?
AKB : This ceremony leaves us with an unfinished taste. It is the largest African Golden Ball award celebration. But, it looked more like a defeat in terms of the winners (no joy), the atmosphere in the room. It feels like a funeral, which is a shame. In addition, what crowned it all was the fact that our compatriot Serhou Guirassy did not win the Golden Ball. And he wasn’t even part of the 11 CAF type. Which is incomprehensible. Today, you cannot name the best players in terms of performance for the 2023-2024 season on the African continent without including Guirassy. So seeing this famous typical content team without the name of Guirassy is simply scandalous and a lack of consideration for the work that this boy has done. Go explain to someone that they are among the 5 best and not the 11. I think that CAF needs to review this voting method.
Guineefoot: Guirassy was a favorite candidate for the Golden Ball, unfortunately he left without the trophy. Are you disappointed like many Guineans?
AKB : Personally, I am extremely disappointed that our compatriot did not win. And I think the overwhelming majority of Guineans and football connoisseurs are also disappointed. This year, with Guirassy’s performance, there would have been no scandal if he had been crowned the African Golden Ball. Considering everything he has proven on the field, without even talking about his qualities. He fully deserved the Golden Ball. But no matter, Lookman won and he should be congratulated. My disappointment is quite great given that after 52 years, Guinea has never been so close to the winner through Guirassy. And through him, for several months, we have only been talking about the positive things about our country. We encourage him to continue on this path.
What is your word after this mobilization behind Guirassy, in particular the trip of a delegation of the transitional authorities?
AKB : It’s an excellent thing that our authorities are interested in this. I remember a few months ago the announcement made by President Mamadi Doumbouya who made a statement to support Guirassy. So the fact that he sent General Amara Camara, his Secretary General, one of his closest collaborators with a strong delegation to support our compatriot is a strong message that the authorities wanted to convey. As if to say that the Golden Ball is the business of all Guineans through our compatriot Guirassy. I can only thank them and encourage them in this direction. It must nevertheless be recognized that the person who was best placed to lead this Guirassy Ballon d’Or project was the president of the federation. I think that President Bouba Sampil could have done better, he was the one who had the legitimacy, because you are aware that the Golden Ball is not only won on the pitch. There are things that we must also do off the ground, at the level of the authorities, the press, economic operators, etc., everyone must be involved upstream.
Chérif Souleymane, the only Guinean golden ball, claims that he missed a lobby behind Guirassy. Do you share his opinion?
AKB : until now I continue to call him coach, because he was my trainer, my educator, he is a gentleman who has a very great knowledge of football and its mechanism. I had the chance to be captain of his team, during the first Cadet World Cup in China where we had the best result of a Guinean national football team in all categories by going to the semi-final. , he is a gentleman that I respect enormously. As he travels to Morocco to support Guirassy, it’s a very good thing. However, I think that it would have been much more useful and effective if he had taken on this project well before and officially with our authorities, with you, the press, etc. With his aura and his title of the only Guinean winner, I have no doubt his voice would have been very audible. But alas.
Finally, lobbing is not just the day before or the day, it is well before, in all sincerity Mr. Cherif Souleymane could have done better. It’s good that there is a first, but it’s even better that Guinea has several Ballon d’Or winners. But I forgot that in Guinea, we really like the words Unique, the Only One, laugh. I remain convinced Guirassy missed the golden ball because he was not supported as he should be and that is a shame.
Do you have any special words for Guirassy?
AKB : he is an intelligent and very disciplined boy, I can only encourage him to continue like this. He made us proud, I pray to God that he is spared from injury, I wish him good luck for the rest of his career. I also ask his Syli teammates to help him so that he can express himself even better. He is a champion, he will certainly have other opportunities.
On the complaint brought by the Guinean football federation against Tanzania
AKB : I think that the political and sporting authorities must not give up, it is a question of honor and respectability of our country. Guinea must go all the way, even if it means anticipating at the level of the CAS (DH sport arbitration court). Guinea is within its rights and it must fight to be restored. The draw is next January, so don’t lose sleep. But I repeat once again, the federation alone will not have strong enough backs. She will greatly need the support and backing of the authorities in this matter. It’s important.
Interview conducted by Mohamed LAMINE TOURÉ
