# Guinea U20 Semifinal Set for 25 October

> Guinea U20 faces semifinal clash in Bamako on 25 October, aiming for 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
- Title: Guinea U20 Semifinal Set for 25 October · The Rio Times
- Summary: Guinea U20 faces semifinal clash in Bamako on 25 October, aiming for 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations qualification. Guinea’s U20 team plays Mali’s capital for…
- Keywords: guinea, u20, africa cup of nations, mali, semifinal, 2027, guinea u20, fifa u20 world cup, news, world, politics, Set
- Source: The Rio Times — https://riotimesonline.com/guinea-u20-semifinal-path-2026
- Author: Samuel Ncube
- Published: 2026-10-19T07:14:48+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: guinea, u20, africa cup of nations, mali, semifinal, 2027, guinea u20, fifa u20 world cup, news, world, politics
## Guinea U20 Semifinal Date
Guinea’s under-20 team plays its UFOA-A semifinal in Bamako, Mali, on Sunday 25 October 2026.
## Semifinal Prize
A win sends Guinea to the final on Friday 30 October 2026, qualifying for the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.
## Guinea’s Group Standings
Guinea leads Group A with six points, while Gambia has four, so a draw or win secures first place.
## Opponent Determination
Guinea’s opponent depends on Group A results: Group A winner faces Group B runner-up, Group B winner faces Group A runner-up.
## Group B Teams
Group B now has Senegal, Mauritania, and Sierra Leone after Guinea-Bissau withdrew from the tournament.
## Group B Results
Senegal beat Mauritania 2-1 in their opening game on Friday 16 October 2026, with Sierra Leone beating Gambia 3-0.
## Historical Context
Senegal beat Guinea 2-0 in the 2024 semifinal in Liberia, with Guinea last playing the tournament in 2017.
## Semifinal Timing
The match starts at 4 p.m. GMT if Guinea wins Group A, or 7 p.m. GMT if they finish second, depending on location.
## US Time Conversion
A 4 p.m. GMT kick-off is noon Eastern and 9 a.m. Pacific on 25 October 2026, while 7 p.m. GMT is 3 p.m. Eastern and noon Pacific.
## Qualification Significance
Guinea qualifies for the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana, with the top four teams advancing to the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
## Historical Performance
Guinea reached the 2017 U-20 World Cup in South Korea after a semifinal run in Zambia, its first appearance in 38 years.
## US Travel Advisory
The US State Department rates Mali at Level 4, 'Do Not Travel', restricting government employees from leaving Bamako.
## Uncertainties
Guinea’s opponent and semifinal venue remain unknown until both groups are completed, with differing reports on Group B schedules.
## Next Steps
Guinea’s U20 team aims to reach the final on 30 October 2026 to qualify for the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.
## Key takeaway

Guinea’s U20 team plays Mali’s capital for a semifinal spot on 25 October 2026, with a win securing qualification for the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.