In an unexpected twist, the Guinean football federation has officially announced the return of Frenchman Michel Dussuyer as the head coach of the national team, marking his third tenure in this pivotal role. Dussuyer's wealth of experience in African football makes him a familiar face in the coaching realm, having previously led Guinea from 2002 to 2004 and again from 2010 to 2015. His extensive resume also includes coaching roles with Benin and a notable tenure with the Ivory Coast between 2015 and 2017.

The 65-year-old Dussuyer, who once shone as a goalkeeper, has extensive experience in high-stakes tournaments, having participated in six different Africa Cup of Nations competitions. His leadership saw Guinea reach the quarter-finals in both 2004 and 2015, demonstrating his capability to lead teams through challenging waters.

This announcement comes on the heels of a tumultuous year for Guinea's national team, which has seen a rapid turnover of coaches. Dussuyer steps in following the firing of Kaba Diawara, a former player with premier clubs like Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, after a disappointing World Cup qualifier against Mozambique in June. Charles Paquille briefly filled the role but could not steer the team away from a disheartening start to the 2025 Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, which included losses to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania.

Looking ahead, Dussuyer is set to guide his squad through two crucial matches against Ethiopia in the Cup of Nations preliminaries, scheduled for October 11 and 14. In a peculiar arrangement, both matches will take place in the Ivory Coast, as neither Guinea nor Ethiopia currently have a venue deemed suitable for international fixtures.

As Guinea embarks on this new chapter under Dussuyer's experienced guidance, fans are left hopeful, eager to see if he can replicate past successes and usher the national team to new heights. Will he be the mastermind behind Guinea's return to football glory? Stay tuned!