This is certainly shaping up to be one of the more closely-fought round of 16 ties at AFCON 2023 as Group E winners Mali face off against Group D runners up Burkina Faso. Desh Parthab previews.
AFCON 2023
Match 44 – Mali v Burkina Faso
Tuesday 30 January | 19:00
Going undefeated against South Africa and Tunisia in Group E Mali had already placed one foot in the AFCON round of 16 before their 0-0 draw against Namibia. Their reward for topping Group E? A round of 16 date with Burkina Faso who were beaten 2-0 by Angola in their final Group D game.
To Win Match (90 mins)
Mali 21/20 | Draw 16/10 | Burkina Faso 29/10
With a significant number of their squad plying their trade in the world’s top leagues, it should come as no surprise that this well-drilled Mali outfit topped their group without tasting defeat.
Their impressive defensive performances has seen the nation concede just a single goal across their three group games. Boubacar Kiki Kouyate and Sikou Niakate have been marshalling Mali’s defence to devastating effect and the midfield destroyer that is Yves Bissouma is always on the prowl to mop up anything loose in the midfield.
The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder played just over an hour of football across their opening two fixtures, before completing a full 90 against Namibia. He will surely be pivotal in their bid for AFCON honours.
Including results in Ivory Coast, Mali are unbeaten in their previous 10 internationals winning seven and drawing three. Éric Chelle has truly made them one of the dark horses of the competition. They certainly could go all the way.
Burkina Faso boss Hubert Velud would have undoubtedly approached their final group game against Angola with a pinch of optimism. Of course, that contest took place after his side weathered the storm to secure a point against a highly-rated Algerian side. His charges conceded a stoppage-time equaliser against The Desert Warriors, in a game where they had just 34% of the ball.
Before their final Group D clash with Angola, both nations had been certain of progression to the next round of action before kick-off, due to other results in the final round of games. That said, they put in a flat performance and were subsequently beaten 2-0 by the Southern Africans to end runners up.
Now at the business end of the competition, Velud and his technical team will need to ensure that his players are prepared for a physical encounter with Mali. Looking at the head-to-head, in their AFCON 2021 meeting it was Mali who emerged victorious.
Verdict: Mali 21/20
Mali are the better side here and should have the measure of a Burkina Faso outfit whose 2-0 loss against Angola may have just blown them off course somewhat.
