FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Ahmad Ahmad have concluded a successful one-day official visit to Guinea ahead of the 2018 African Footballer of the Year Awards in Senegal on Tuesday.
The Swiss decided to visit some African countries on his journey to the awards in Dakar and was joined by Africa's football leader as they inspected and discussed projects to put Guinea football back on track.
They duo were joined by FIFA Council member Kabele Camara, FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura and members of the FIFA administration as they met with the Guinea Football Association (Feguifoot) and senior government officials.
Ahmad had to truncate some of his activities in Dakar ahead of the CAF Awards to join the delegation in Conakry to see the progress being made to revive football in Guinea.
In Conakry, Guinea, the delegation was met by the Guinean Football Federation President Antonio Souaré, before travelling to Nongo to visit the National Technical Centre and then on to Dubreka to see President Souaré’s plans to build and equip the Sports Centre of Yorokoguiyah.
Whilst in Yorokoguiyah, the FIFA President discussed plans to further develop football across Guinea with Feguifoot’s officials.
This was Infantino’s first visit to Guinea and he was struck by the passion of the several hundred Guinean football fans who lined the streets to greet the FIFA delegation saying: "It is a privilege to be welcomed to Guinea by so many true football fans.
"Their passion for the game and the national team’s performance during the qualifying games for the AFCON 2019 are great examples for football leaders of what can be achieved with a love of the game and commitment."
The tours of the Feguifoot’s football facilities were followed by a departure to the Sekoutouteya Presidential Palace to meet with President of Guinea Alpha Condé, an incredible football fan, where discussions focused on the importance of good governance in football and the development of local talents through investment in football infrastructure and training of football officials.
Speaking at the end of his visit to Guinea, Infantino said: "Football in Guinea is back on track thanks to the hard work of the new Feguifoot leadership. The announcement of Yeo Pogba, former Guinean women’s international and mother of Paul, Florentin and Mathais Pogba, as Feguifoot’s Official Ambassador for Women’s Football is a strong step in the right direction by President Souaré. The future of Guinean football is bright!"
The one-day mission concluded with a meeting between the FIFA delegation and the Feguifoot team and executive committee at the federation’s headquarters, followed by a press conference.
Ahmad quickly made a return to Dakar to witness the maiden CAF Legends match against Senegal's 2002 World Cup with Liberia President George Weah in attendance.