Both Guinea and Senegal advanced to the Round of 16 at the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon when they finished runners up and table leaders respectively in Group B.

However, the two national teams will be without one of their star players apiece through suspension.

As Guinea lost 2-1 to Zimbabwe, their captain Naby Keita received a yellow card deep in stoppage time which was his second at the tournament.

He was also booked in his side’s goalless draw with Senegal and the two yellow cards account for a one match ban.

The Liverpool midfielder will miss Guinea’s knockout stage game against a team that finishes second in Group F. This contest will be played at Kouekong Stadium on Monday, January 24.

Just like Keita, Crystal Palace midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate won’t be available for Senegal’s Round of 16 fixture against a team that comes out third in any of Group A and D on Tuesday, January 25 at Kouekong Stadium.

Kouyate was shown a yellow card in his side’s goalless draw with Malawi adding to his booking received in another goalless against Guinea resulting in a suspension.

Senegal finished top of Group B with five points, followed by Guinea who gathered the same number of points, four with Malawi but beat them by head to head.

On four points Malawi’s fate will be decided after the group stages are concluded on whether they go through as one of the best four third placed teams. It’s Zimbabwe that bowed out from this group having finished rock bottom with three points.