Guinea secured the last berth in the men’s football tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Indonesia in an intercontinental play-off in France.
Ilaix Moriba, the forward from Getafe, proved decisive by converting a penalty just before the half-hour mark, following a foul on Algassime Bah by Indonesia’s Witan Sulaeman. Despite opportunities to extend their lead, Guinea missed another penalty in the second half when Alfeandra Dewangga fouled Bah, but the latter’s shot hit the post and went wide.
This victory marked Guinea’s return to the Olympics after 56 years, as they last participated in 1968. They join Group A alongside hosts France, the United States, and New Zealand.
Among the distinguished spectators at the play-off in Clairefontaine were FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Guinean federation president Aboubacar Sampil, and Indonesian counterpart Erick Thohir.
Egypt, Morocco, and Mali will represent Africa in the men’s football tournament at Paris 2024, while Nigeria and Zambia secured spots in the 12-team women’s tournament. The men’s Olympic football event is scheduled from July 24th to August 9th, while the women’s competition will kickoff from July 25th to August 10th.
Below is the revised men’s football draw for Paris 2024:
Group A: France (hosts), United States, Guinea, New Zealand.
Group B: Argentina, Morocco, Iraq, Ukraine.
Group C: Uzbekistan, Spain, Egypt, Dominican Republic.
Group D: Japan, Paraguay, Mali, Israel.
