Morocco squad evacuated from Guinea’s capital Conakry after Coup d’etat

The Moroccan national team has been evacuated from the Guinean capital Conakry after their World Cup qualifier was postponed following a coup d’etat in the West African country.

FIFA and African confederation CAF called off Monday’s game following hours of heavy gunfire around the presidential palace and an apparent seizure of power by armed soldiers.

The Morocco squad and coaching staff were left trapped in their hotel, with coach Vahid Halilhodzic describing gunfire ‘nearly all day’, before they boarded a plane out of Guinea on Sunday Night, September 5.

The World Cup Qualifier between Morocco and Guinea was abandoned following a Coup attempt.

‘We’re at the hotel, gunshots could be heard nearly all day,’ Halilhodzic told French newspaper L’Equipe. ‘When you hear gunshots outside, safety is not 100 per cent guaranteed.’

The team arrived in Conakry on Friday and had one training session ahead of the match before being locked down in their accommodation.

On Sunday evening, however, the Morocco party was given an escort to the airport and flew out.

However, the country’s borders have been sealed with many commercial flights suspended. 

‘The current political and security situation in Guinea is quite volatile and is being closely monitored by FIFA and CAF,’ said a statement issued by both bodies.

‘To ensure the safety and security of all players and to protect all match officials, FIFA and CAF have decided to postpone the match.

‘Rescheduling information will be made available at a later date.’