After a couple of scoreless results from the first two friendlies played in Turkey this international break, the Nationale Syli of Guinea earned their first win in three matches by defeating Kosovo 2-1 on Tuesday. Both teams struggled to get anything going during the first half but Guinea gradually proved their superiority over the course of the match.
Following the halftime break, it took 15 minutes before the first goal finally came and TP Mazembe forward Moustapha Kouyate was the player responsible. Horoya playmaker Morlaye Sylla received a switch of play near the end line and laid the ball back to Pa Konate, with plenty of room for the Botev Plovdiv left-back to pick out a cross. An open Kouyate stooped down and snapped a powerful low header that was too much for Kosovar keeper Visar Bekaj to keep out.
Guinea made it two in a five-minute span when José Kanté put in a hopeful cross that deflected off a Kosovar defender’s hand, leading to a penalty kick for the Nationale Syli. Kanté himself stepped up and slided the spot kick home for the FC Kairat striker’s third international goal. Kosovo tallied a consolation goal late on but Guinea showed their class on the day to take advantage of poor passing from the Kosovo side.
Highlights are below.
