Tuesday’s first AFCON serving features another all-West African encounter as Burkina Faso face Mauritania at Stade Bouake. Ayanda Vezi previews.
AFCON 2024
Match 8 – Burkina Faso v Mauritania
Tuesday 16 January | 16:00
In group D we will witness a West African derby as Burkina Faso and Mauritania will go head-to-head in Tuesday’s opening AFCON tie. This fixture will take place at Stade Bouake. Let’s have a look at which team to back here.
To Win Match
Burkina Faso 7/10 | Draw 39/20 | Mauritania 44/10
Burkina Faso will get their AFCON campaign underway in a Group D clash against Mauritania. The Stallions recent performances have been promising, and they might just be a dark horse in this year’s competition.
They managed two wins, two draws and one defeat in their last five games. Coach Hubert Velud’s team finished in fourth place in the previous edition of AFCON, further underling their quality.
Aston Villa’s Bertrand Traore will need to be at his devastating best to lay down a marker against the minnows. They’ve met on four occasions with Burkina Faso claiming two victories, Mauritania winning once while the other game ended in a draw.
Edmond Tapsoba, who plays in the Bundesliga for Bayer Leverkusen will lead the defence in hopes that they don’t concede. Looking at other opponents in Group D, coach Hubert’s side will want to make sure that they win this game to be on the safe side since they will face Mozambique and Algeria in their next fixtures.
Mauritania did not qualify for the last two editions of AFCON. I reckon Lions of Chinguetti will be the first team to be eliminated from this extremely tough Group.
Looking at the squad they have they won’t be able to go pound for pound against Burkina Faso who have proven themselves in this competition recently.
There are also no real household names in this squad, with a number of players locally. Those based in Europe mostly ply their trade in the lower leagues in France, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and Turkey.
Verdict:: Burkina Faso at 7/10
This appears to be a banker at 7/10. you can make yourself good money to avoid January hunger.
