Guinea and Rwanda will meet for the first time at the African Nations Championship when both nations go head-to-head at the Limbe Omnisport Stadium on Sunday evening.
Rwanda have never made it past the quarter-finals, while the Slyi Nationale finished fourth in 2016, after losing to Congo DR in the third-place playoff game.
Match preview
Guinea finished first in Group D thanks to their stronger goal difference, as they were tied with the Chipolopolo of Zambia on five points at the top of the group.
In a crucial final group game, Guinea rallied from 2-1 down to grab an important point against Tanzania, sealing their place in the next round with an impressive 2-2 draw.
Yakhouba Gnagna Barry gave the Syli Nationale the lead from the penalty spot in the fourth minute, but Tanzania came roaring back when Baraka Majogoro grabbed the equaliser with a 20-yard belter.
Defender Edward Manyama put the Taifa Stars ahead in the 73rd minute, but Victor Kantabadouno's late header was enough to salvage a point for Kanfory Mohamed Bangoura's men.
Their opponents Rwanda progressed to the quarter-finals with five points, finishing as runners-up to defending champions Morocco in Group C.
The Amavubi opened their campaign with goalless draws against the Cranes of Uganda and Morocco, before sealing a place in the knockout stages with a hard-fought victory over Togo in the final group game.
Goals from Olivier Niyonzima, Jacques Tuyisenge and substitute Ernest Sugira helped Vincent Mashami's side come from behind twice to grab a 3-2 victory over the Sparrowhawks.
Guinea and Rwanda both come into this clash unbeaten at the tournament, after finishing the group stages with one win and two draws each.
Rwanda have not tasted defeat in their last seven matches across all competitions, while the Slyi Nationale have only lost once in their last eight outings since November 2019.
In their last two meetings, Guinea had a slight upper hand over the East Africans, as they finished with one win and one draw at the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in 2018.
Guinea African Nations Championship form: WDD
Guinea form (all competitions): WDLWDD
Rwanda African Nations Championship form: DDW
Rwanda form (all competitions): DDLDDW
Team News
Twenty-two-year-old striker Yakhouba Gnagna Barry is the highest goalscorer at the tournament with three goals, and Guinea will once again rely on him to provide their attacking threat.
Central defender Mohamed Traore is suspended and will sit out this tie after picking up a second yellow card against Tanzania on Wednesday.
Rwanda will be without the services of defender Thierry Manzi, who picked up an early injury last time out against Togo.
APR striker Ernest Sugira will push for a return to the starting XI, after coming off the bench to score the winner against Togo.
Guinea possible starting lineup:
M Camara; N Camara, Doumbouya, M Camara, Bangoura; I Camara, Sylla, Kante, Coumbassa; Bangoura, Barry
Rwanda possible starting lineup:
Kwizera; Imanishimwe, Manzi, Mutsinzi, Omborenga; Kalisa, Niyonzima, Nshuti; Iradukunda, Tuyisenge, Sugira
We say: Guinea 2-1 Rwanda
We expect a tight contest between these two evenly matched teams, but considering Guinea's quality and experience, they should be able to see off Rwanda and progress to the semi-finals.
