Guinea national team head coach Kaba Diawara has urged his players to raise their heads and prepare well for the next round if they are to go far.
Already-eliminated Zimbabwe upset Guinea with a 2-1 win at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Yaounde on Tuesday, although Guinea will still advance to the last 16 as runners-up in Group B.
Captain Knowledge Musona and Kudakwashe Mahachi both scored in the first half to earn Zimbabwe a farewell win after losing their opening two matches as they finished last in the group.
Naby Keita pulled a goal back for Guinea early in the second half, but they could not find an equaliser.
After the game, Diawara commended his players to raise their heads and prepare well for the next round.
“The Zimbabwe team refused to play in the first half especially when they opened the scoring,” Diawara said before adding.
“After this achievement, we tried to go up the score without succeeding against a compact defense around their goalkeeper,”
“For the round of 16, we’ll do without our captain, Naby Keita for multiple cards.”
“It’s sad for us, but it’s up to us to raise our heads and prepare well for the next step, especially in serenity,” he added.
Senegal finished top of the group after a goalless draw against Malawi in Bafoussam.
Malawi were level with Guinea on four points but Guinea finished second based on their head-to-head result.
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