Host Guinea and Morocco’s 2022 Qatar Fifa World Cup Group I qualifier is in danger of postponement after a military coup d’état in the West African country.
The game is scheduled to be played on Monday at the Stade Général Lansana Conté in Nongo.
A group of soldiers seized power in Guinea and dissolved the nation’s constitution, according to a statement broadcast on state television.
The announcement came hours after heavy gunfire erupted near the presidential palace in the capital, Conakry, earlier on Sunday morning.
Agence France-Presse reported that the coup leaders have arrested President Alpha Conde.
The President of Guinea, Alpha Condé has been arrested by his military.
— Hopewell Chin’ono (@daddyhope) September 5, 2021
A coup is underway in Guinea as you read this & the President has been taken away from the Palace.
Special forces that rebelled against him went to arrest him st the Presidential Palace.#RegisterToVote2023 pic.twitter.com/hZ3jiwn1jL
Reports say the traveling Morocco team are confined to their hotel and safe, but could hear the shots.
Vahid Halilhodzic’s team is reportedly also seeking to return to Morocco as soon as possible.
Our national team is safe. The federation is waiting for FIFA's official decision to postpone the match, while efforts are being made to get the delegation back to Morocco following the military coup in Guinea. pic.twitter.com/Ecp1z9wo0I
— Jalal Bounouar (@BounouarJalal) September 5, 2021
The group of soldiers have also closed the country’s land and air borders according to various news sources.
Morocco defeated Sudan 2-0 in their first group game while Guinea held Guinea-Bissau to a 1-1 draw.
The continent’s football governing body, Caf, and world governing body, Fifa have not yet communicated on the situation.
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