Manchester United star Paul Pogba’s brother, Florentin, recently signed for Major League Soccer side, Atlanta United, a move which has seen his chances of featuring for his native Guinea at the next Africa Cup of Nations holding later this year in Egypt increase. The Syli Nationale have already qualified for the 2019 AFCON finals and Pogba could be back in the squad after finding a club.
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The former France youth international had been without a club since last June after leaving Turkish Super Lig outfit Genclerbirligi and has since been frozen out of the Guinea squad. Now, with Guinea having already qualified for the 2019 AFCON tournament which is four months away as it kicks off in mid-June, Pogba could be back in the national team if he earns some game time at Atlanta. The MLS season is kicking off early next month and Pogba’s inclusion in the Guinea squad to face Central African Republic in the final AFCON qualifier on March 22 would be the strongest hint of him making it to Egypt 2019.
“Thank God a new adventure starts. Hard work pays and will always pay. Thanks to all, who have supported me. God keep you well,” Pogba expressed delight on social media after signing for Atlanta United. “We’re pleased to officially welcome Florentin to our club,” said club vice president and technical director Carlos Bocanegra after the deal was completed.
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“He’s a physical centre back who also has the ability to play with his feet. He also brings an immense amount of experience after representing his club and country in various international tournaments and we expect him to compete for playing time on our backline,” Bocanegra added. Pogba previously spent seven years with Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne having started his professional career with Sedan in France’s fourth tier. Unlike younger brother Paul, who won the World Cup representing France last summer, Florentin has made 21 appearances for the Guinea national side.
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: Meanwhile, former Guinea international defender Mohamed “Ofei” Sylla has died at the age of 44 in Conakry. Without mentioning the cause of his death, the Guinea Football Federation (Feguifoot) announced the death of Sylla who played for Horoya, Ismaily, French side Vannes as well as Turkish clubs Gaziantespor and Denizspor.
“With the deepest pain we announce the death of Mohamed Sylla in Conakry on Monday February 4, 2019 due to illness,” BBC Sport quoted Feguifoot as having said said in a statement about Sylla featured for Guinea at the 1994 and 1998 AFCON tournaments. “Feguifoot takes this opportunity to offer its sincere condolences to his family, his teammates and his friends.”