Guinea and New Zealand will kick off Group A of the men’s football tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics when they clash at the Allianz Riviera in Nice on Wednesday.
This marks Guinea’s return to the Olympics after a 56-year hiatus, having last participated in the 1968 Games. Their path to Paris was secured through a playoff victory over Indonesia, thanks to a crucial penalty by Ilaix Moriba.
Guinea’s preparation for the Olympics included a notable 1-0 friendly win against Argentina, with Mohamed Soumah scoring the decisive goal. However, Guinea faces stiff competition in Group A, which includes France and the USA.
New Zealand, known as the OlyWhites, qualified for their fourth Olympics out of the last five, with a dominant performance in the OFC qualifiers.
They secured top spots with wins over Fiji and Vanuatu, culminating in a 9-0 thrashing of Fiji in the final. Despite a recent 3-1 friendly defeat to Uzbekistan, New Zealand remains confident heading into the tournament.
Key players for Guinea include experienced midfielders Naby Keita and Amadou Diawara, who bring valuable international experience. Goalkeeper Soumaila Sylla is expected to start in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
For New Zealand, Bournemouth’s Alex Paulsen is likely to be the first-choice goalkeeper. Riley Bidois, who scored five goals in the final qualifier against Fiji, will be a key attacking threat. New Zealand’s squad also features England-based players Tyler Bindon and Ben Waine.
Both teams are eager to make a strong start, but a close contest is anticipated, with a prediction of a 1-1 draw.
The game will be broadcast live on NBS Sport starting at 6 PM EAT.
