Guinea World Cup qualifier off after political crisis

Guinea’s World Cup qualifier against Morocco has been postponed after a colonel in the Guinean army took control of state television on Sunday and declared the government dissolved.

On Monday, the West African nation was set to host Morocco in Conakry, its capital. The match has yet to be rescheduled.

The postponement was made “to preserve the safety and security of all players and to protect all match officials,” according to the Confederation of African Football.

On Sunday, there were hours of heavy shooting near the presidential palace in Conakry, with all the characteristics of a coup d’etat.

FIFA and CAF issued a statement saying, “The current political and security situation in Guinea is highly turbulent and is being actively monitored by FIFA and CAF.”