With these two nations level on points and goal difference, top honours in Group D is going down to the wire. Ofcourse, qualification is not guaranteed, considering Algeria’s must win clash against Mauritania which is set to take place simultaneously.
To win (90 min)
Angola 51/20
Draw 16/10
Burkina Faso 5/4
ANGOLA
Angola currently occupy top spot in Group D, following a draw against Algeria on opening day and a sensational 3-2 win over Mauritania last time out. In coming out on the right side of that five goal thriller, the Black Sable Antelopes ended a nine-match winless streak (ie. Five draws and four defeats) at AFCON – a run that dates back to January 2012.
Al-Wakrah’s Gelson Dala has found the back of the net five times in his last six games for club and country. He bagged a brace against The Lions of Chinguetti, reacting smartly from a corner to open his account at the tournament before adding a second after the half time break. The twenty-seven year old has now scored twelve goals in twenty-nine appearances for Angola – the most goals of any active player for his nation and the sixth-most in their history.
In their previous encounter at AFCON, Angola edged Burkina Faso 2-1 during the group stage, at the 2012 edition of the spectacle. Things have changed dramatically for both teams and they both will want to turn their respectable campaigns into successful ones!
BURKINA FASO
There is a sense of optimism surrounding the Burkina Faso camp. Indeed, The Stallions have found the back of the net at least once in each of their previous sixteen AFCON fixtures. During this campaign, they’ve scored the opening goal in their duels with Mauritania and Algeria respectively.
In their stalemate with The Desert Warriors, Adama Guira came off with an injury scare in the first half and is a doubt for this clash. His potential absence in the midfield could pave the way for Panserraikos’ Ismahila Ouedraogo to make his first start of the campaign, as Hubert Velud looks to cover the gap.
Bertrand Traore is another player who is due a start. The Aston Villa man has found the back of the net in consecutive matches as a substitute and a place in the starting XI can’t be far away. Burkina Faso have lost just two of their last fifteen AFCON fixtures, suffice to say, they’re doing something right!
PREDICTION: Draw
Both these nations have beaten Mauritania and drawn with Algeria respectively. That being said, they’re level on four points each which means the winner of this fixture will top the group, but a draw could mean a third place finish (should Algeria win by 2+ goals against Mauritania). This top of the table clash should see a feisty encounter with both sides cancelling each other out – I think a draw is the play.
Written by Desh Parthab