Naby Keita Trains Harder, Eager To Boost Guinea’s Starting-11 Against Super Eagles

Guinea’s talismanic midfielder Naby Keita has been training harder, building up his fitness level in order to boost the Syli Nationale’s starting lineup in their AFCON 2019 Group B crucial second match against the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Alexandria Stadium on Wednesday, Completesports.com reports.

Keita’ fitness has been meticulously managed by Guinea coach, Paul Put, since the player’s arrival in their pre-tournament camp following an injury he sustained at his club Liverpool.

The 24 year old played for 30 minutes in the Syli Nationale’s 2-2 draw with the Barea of Madagascar last Saturday after replacing Mady Canada in the 60th minute.

The following day, while all other players who played against Madagascar were exempted from training in order rest their frayed nerves, Keita opted to join others in a drilling session.

Naby Keita in training with Syli Nationale’s players who were unused subs in their 2-2 draw with Madagascar

“Now, I feel good, yesterday’s match did me a lot of good, I think the two, three days, I’ll still continue to train one hundred percent to prepare for the Wednesday match,” Naby Keita told Guineenews.com on Sunday.

However, despite Keita’s zealousness to return to full action in the decisive clash against the Super Eagles, Put hints that the Syli Nationale’s medical team has been monitoring the midfielder’s fitness situation with advice from their Liverpool counterparts.

“We are in communication with the medical staff of his club and he has already played 30 minutes against Madagascar, so we will see the rest, it is very early to decide,” Put said of Keita’s chances of starting against Nigeria.