Guinée loses its first Syli captain Dacky Mbor Camara at 92

In the capital Conakry, the football community gathered as news broke that Dacky Mbor Camara, the first captain of the Guinea national team – the Syli – had died on Friday at the age of 92, a fact confirmed by the Fédération guinéenne de football.

The Fédération guinéenne de football released an official statement mourning the loss, describing Camara as a pioneering figure of the Syli’s early years after the country’s independence in 1958. His contribution was seen as laying the foundations for the national side’s future development.

First captaincy and historic vote

When the inaugural Guinea selection was assembled around 1960, the captain’s armband was decided by a player vote between Dacky Mbor Camara and his friend Aboubacar Barate Camara. Dacky won the ballot, while Barate assumed the role of vice‑captain.

This generation then travelled to Hungary, then a world football reference, as well as to Germany and Yugoslavia, before playing numerous matches against West African neighbours.

Legacy and memorable episodes

Dacky Mbor told Sport News Africa that he had lifted the PDG Cup twice, a national competition created after the disappearance of the former colonial clubs.

After a 1‑0 defeat to Liberia, he and several teammates were summoned to the stadium by Sports Minister Toumany Sangaré, who was displeased with their performance. Police escorted the players to prison, where they spent a few days before being released.

Les membres posted no comments on the article, underscoring the solemn silence surrounding his passing.