Guinea beat Indonesia 1-0 in the AFC-CAF Play-off to claim final men's Olympic football quota
A gallant Guinea side beat Indonesia 1-0 at the AFC-CAF Play-off in Clairefontaine, France on Thursday 9 May to obtain the final men's Olympic football quota and fulfil their dreams of competing at Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Both teams put everything on the line in a fiercely competitive match but it was Guinea who ended the night victorious after a single first-half goal booked their place in the Olympic football tournament for the first time in 56 years.
This will be only the second time that Guinea has ever played on the Olympic stage, with the first coming all the way back at Mexico 1968.
In today's match, the hero was 21-year-old Ilaix Moriba, who opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a penalty kick to lock in a 1-0 lead that was held until the final whistle.
After maintaining control for the majority of the second half, Guinea had another chance to score from the spot but failed to hit the target to set up a nerve-wracking ending to the match. It left the door open for Indonesia to tie up the score and send the teams into extra time but, after scrambling for an equalising goal, Indonesia could not draw level as the nation's Olympic dreams faded away.
The Guinea players danced and celebrated on the pitch as they officially secured their spot at the upcoming Games and will now head to Paris in less than three months' time.
At Paris 2024, they will join France, the United States and New Zealand in Group A and play the All Whites on the opening day of the Games.
“When you are a sports lover, it is a source of pride to participate in the Olympic Games. The only option to get there is victory,” Guinea coach Kaba Diawara told FIFA ahead of the game.
“Our fourth place at the CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations lengthened the road to Paris, but we believe in it as firmly as possible."
And possible, it was.
Guinea's Olympic football history
It’s been nearly six decades since Guinea sent a football team to the Olympics, but today, their victory over Indonesia ends that streak.
Guinea last qualified for the Olympic football tournament at Olympic Games Mexico 1968 where they beat Colombia before losses against France and hosts Mexico saw them exit after the group stage.
Today, they fought tooth and nail to secure a spot with a result that is sure to be welcomed with widespread celebrations at home.
Guinea have never won an Olympic medal in any sport, although the have sent athletes to every Summer Games bar two since 1968.
They will be faced with tough competition right off the bat in Paris, as they will join Group A to face hosts France, the United States and New Zealand.