AFCON 2023: Pelancras Negras sets for top of the table clash against Stallions of Burkina Faso

Posted : 22 January 2024

The two sides facing themselves in the last match of the Group D pairings, the Pelancras Negras of Angola and the Stallions of Burkina Faso, have given a good account of themselves over the opening two matches, and it is expected that both will be full of confidence heading into the last match. All that is needed is for both teams to share spoils with honours even at the end of the 90 minutes.

The Pelancras Negras of Angola have already bagged four six points heading into the last game against the Stallions, having earned one point from a 1-1 shared point against the tournament's favourite, Algeria, in the first match and followed up with a 3-2 win over Mauritania. The Pelancras Negras are in the first position on the Group D standings, but with a joint point with the Stallions of Burkina Faso, who they lead by +3 goals.

The Stallions of Burkina Faso, second-placed but joint leaders with Angola, also started well in their campaign with a 1-0 win over the whipping boys of Group D, Mauritania, and also ensured a 2-2 draw against the stalemate specialist, Algeria's Fennec Foxes. On the flip side, Algeria only has an outside chance to qualify for the second round.

Burkina Faso's last 2-2 draw against Algeria at Stade de la Paix is a match to behold, as Mohamed Konate and Bertrand Traore scored in the ill-fated match for Algeria, which had just one corner in total and three shots on target. For Angola and Burkina Faso, they just needed to round off their AFCON group-stage campaign with a draw in the meeting at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium.

Having all but guaranteed themselves a place in the knockout phase, the teams now set out to finish as group winners by coming out on top here. Next up is the challenge of an opposing outfit with little to pick between the teams over the previous six meetings, which have yielded two wins each and two draws. Now, without defeat in their last eight matches, Angola will be confident of picking up a positive result to keep their strong AFCON display going.

Unbeaten in seven of their last eight outings across all competitions, Burkina Faso have proven themselves to be a tough nut to crack of late. While Adama Guira is a major doubt for Burkina Faso, having come off with an injury scare in the first half of the draw against Algeria, there should be a replacement for him on the bench. Bertrand Traore has found the back of the net in consecutive matches as a substitute and could be rewarded with a place in the starting XI.

Angola's Gelson Dala has found the back of the net six times in his last six games for club and country, making him the forward to keep an eye on here. Following his double against Mauritania, Dala has now scored the most goals of any active player for his nation and the sixth-most in history. The match between Angola and Burkina Faso should be a quick fix for both countries going forward.

AFCON 2023: Pelancras Negras sets for top of the table clash against Stallions of Burkina Faso

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