Angola and Burkina Faso find themselves sitting atop Group D at AFCON 2023 and know that a draw here will ensure both progress to the round of 16. Desh Parthab previews.
AFCON 2023
Match 32 – Angola v Burkina Faso
Tuesday 23 January | 22:00
With these two nations level on points and goal difference, the battle for top honours in Group D goes down to the wire. Of course, qualification is not guaranteed, but considering how the other Groups are shaping up, defeat for either side here will likely see them progress to the round of 16 anyway.
To Win Match
Angola 51/20 | Draw 16/10 | Burkina Faso 5/4
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 that included 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 27-year-old has now scored 12 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 competition. Things have changed dramatically for both teams and they both will want to finish top of Group D.
There is a sense of optimism surrounding the Burkina Faso camp. 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.
Verdict: Draw 16/10
A draw is the play here. I can’t separate the sides, and they will know that a stalemate will ensure qualification for both. Small bet on the draw for me.
