AFCON Qualifiers: Burkina Faso vs Burundi Preview

As anticipation builds for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers, Burkina Faso is set to face off against Burundi at the Stade du 4 Août on Thursday evening. Both teams are entering this match with varied results from their previous outings, with Burkina Faso coming from a confident win over Malawi, while Burundi experienced a narrow loss to Senegal.

Burkina Faso’s recent form has been promising, particularly highlighted by their striking 3-1 victory against Malawi. This match saw the return of one of their key players, who delivered a strong performance with two goals in the first half, along with a successful penalty conversion. This win marked a pivotal moment for their new head coach, who took over after the team’s less than satisfactory performance in the last AFCON, where they were eliminated in the last 16 round by Mali.

Burundi, on the other hand, will be seeking to bounce back after a closely-contested 1-0 defeat to Senegal. The match, played at Lilongwe’s Bingu National Stadium, ended a four-game unbeaten streak for the Burundi side. With their first competitive loss since the beginning of the year, Burundi is striving for improvements to rejuvenate their qualifying campaign.

The current standings in the group see Burkina Faso at the top, closely tied with Senegal, both having accumulated four points. For Thursday’s encounter, Burkina Faso is seen as the favorites to win, based on their recent performances and home advantage. The match is expected to be tight, with odds slightly skewed towards Burkina Faso’s favor.

Regarding team formations, Burkina Faso’s forward line is likely to be led by Lassina Traore, despite having scored only once at the club level this season. He will be supported by players such as Hassane Bande, who has shown promise recently. On the visitors’ side, Burundi will look to Eldinho, who has been in fine form and was on target for his club, Jablonec, over the weekend.

The Stade du 4 Août, with a capacity of 50,000 spectators, serves as the venue for this crucial qualifier. Since its inauguration in 1984, it has been the home ground for the Burkina Faso national team. Fans will be eager to witness whether Burkina Faso can extend their dominant record against Burundi, having won two out of their three previous encounters, with one match ending in a draw.

This game is crucial for both teams as they aim to secure their place in the next AFCON tournament. Burkina Faso, leveraging their current momentum, will be looking to take a decisive step forward, while Burundi will be hoping to upset the odds and regain their footing in the qualifiers.