adminBalde` who plays for French side Arles Avigon was injured on Saturday in their 2-1 defeat by the Indomitable Lions and has remained at his base while the rest of the squad travelled to South Africa.
At 36 years old, Balde` has been one of the oldest members of the Guinea national football team that Frenchman Michel Dussuyer had picked for the Group G World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe set for Sunday at the National Sports Stadium.
He has previously played for Mulhouse, AS Cannes, Toulouse, Celtic and Valenciennes and has 52 caps for the senior team, laced with two goals.
Since Sunday, the Guinea national team had been staying at the Garden Court Hotel in Milpark, Johannesburg, while using the grounds at the University of Johannesburg for their training sessions.
According to South Africa-based Zimbabwean journalist Lovemore Moyo, Guinea have also revealed that they will not be using Ibrahima Bangoura who is injured.
“Guinea are here and they have been staying at the same hotel with the Zambian national team who are also camped here,” said Moyo.
Zambia left Johannesburg yesterday with Hwange defender Aaron Katebe in tow as the African champions flew to Sudan for their first competitive match since winning the coveted trophy in February.
Moyo, who writes for influential South African magazine KickOff, said Guinea also have a setback in that another striker Ishmael Bangoura who plays for Nantes is also doubtful for the game.
“Ishmael Bangoura is coming to Zimbabwe but from what I learnt, he is injured and is unlikely to play,” said Moyo.
There was even further sad news in the Syli Nationale camp when they learnt that Stuttgart midfielder Mamadou Bah is suspended for this game.
“Bah is understood to be ineligible after he received a red card in their last Nations Cup game.
“Both Bah and Bangoura are here in South Africa but are doubtful for the game.
“There is also one of their players Kamil Zayette who is also injured and most likely he will not play again,” said Moyo.
Zayette is the team captain and plays for Turkey side Istanbul Buyuksehir as a defender.
He moved to Paris from Conakry as a 15-year-old and signed his first professional contract with RC Lens.
The tough tackling defender has had stints at English sides Hull, Leicester and Everton.
“Right now Guinea should be having about 18 players in camp and since they arrived here, they have not played against any teams.
“I understand that their coach is cautious and does not want to risk his players to further injuries,” said Moyo.
Already Dussuyer had dropped talismanic Pascal Feindouno, who parted ways with Swiss side FC Sion in January, and is now without a club, alongside Genoa midfielder Kevin Constant and Ibrahima Yattara of Saudi club Al-Shabab.
Etoile du Sahel forward Ousmane Barry, who was also a member of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations squad, was also ignored by the French coach.
Despite the seeming setback of the injuries, Moyo observed that Guinea remained a strong side as they were bubbling with confidence with Stuttgart midfielder Ibrahima Traore, Alhassane Bangoura and goalkeeper Abdul Aziz available for the game.
“From our conversation with the players, Guinea are hoping to get a win over Zimbabwe.
“They believe that Zimbabwe does not have a strong team since some players were suspended because of the Asiagate investigations
“I think they see a weak team,” said Moyo.
Guinea squad
Goalkeepers
Abdul Aziz Keita (AS Kaloum), Naby Yattara (Avignon)
Defenders
Thierno Bah (FC Lausane), Sory Bangoura ( Djoliba), Beveren Diallo Ibrahima, Kalabane Oumar, AL Dahfra, Mara Mamoudou (Avignon), Zayatte Kamil (Buyuksehir),
Midfielders
Djoulde Bau (Stuttgart), Habib Balde (Nime Olympique), Lanfia Camara (Woluwe), Ibrahima Conte (La Gantoise), Sadio Diallo ( Bastia), Naby Soumah (Sfax).
Forwards
Alhassane Bangoura (Vallecano), Ismael Bangoua (Nante), Razzagui Camara (Sochaux), Idrissa Sylla (Le Mans), Ibrahima Traore (Stuttgart).
Online Reporter