09/11/2021 15:00
Clarín.com
sports
Updated 9/11/2021 3:05 PM
While the sports media around the world were surprised by the unusual suspension of the classic between Argentina and Brazil for the South American qualifiers, another meeting of the Qatar 2022 qualification was frustrated by much more serious issues, although its media significance has not been proportional.
Guinea was supposed to host Morocco on Monday, but the meeting was suspended due to the coup d'état unleashed a day earlier when a group of soldiers arrested President Alpha Condé and announced that they were dissolving the government and Congress, and suspending the validity of the Constitution.
The political and social conflict affected all areas, including football.
Immediately, the African Football Confederation (CAF) and FIFA decided to suspend the African qualifying game.
But beyond the event, the consequences were more delicate since the Guinean footballers were trapped in the hotel, unable to return to the countries where their teams are active.
One of those who suffered this situation was the Guinean striker of Lokomotiv Moscow Francois Kamano, who was trapped for several days in his country.
This Saturday he had his relief with two goals in a league game just 48 hours after returning to Russia.
Francois Kamano - escaped a military coup in Guinea on Thursday, defied the Krylia Sovetov offside trap on Saturday.
pic.twitter.com/G48VtQKq0m
- Liam Tyler (@tyler_lj) September 11, 2021
Kamano, who was a substitute against Krilia Sovétov, entered in the second half and immediately billed the goalkeeper with a dribble and the touch to the empty goal.
The celebration was dedicated: he went to the corner and gave a military salute, especially targeting the Guinean coup plotters.
The Guinean was the hero of the match, as he also scored the second goal for his team with 10 minutes left and sealed the 2-0 that allows Lokomotiv to remain in second place, two points behind the leaders, Zenit.
A week ago Kamano told the Russian press that he could not leave his country due to the closing of the borders of Guinea after the military irruption.
"That's right, I can't go out. Guinea's borders are closed. The national federation has opened negotiations so that footballers can join their clubs."
It took 22 minutes for Francois Kamano to score brace of the bench 🔥 # LokomotivKryliaSovetov highlights 📺 # RPL pic.twitter.com/9KS28TjCtf
- Russian Premier Liga (@premierliga_en) September 11, 2021
At the same time, Lokomotiv was taking steps to repatriate him but reported in a statement that "given the difficult political situation in Guinea at the present time, all routes have been blocked to enter or leave the country where our player is."
Kamano, 25, began his career in France, first at Bastia and later at Bordeaux, after which he joined the Russian Railways team in 2020.
In addition, he has played 37 games for his national team and has scored seven goals since his debut with the Guinea jersey in 2015.