Burkina Faso and Eswatini draw the curtain on their respective Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaigns with a meeting at Stade de Marrakech on Friday evening.

Both teams have relatively little to play for heading into their final Group B fixture, but we are expecting a keenly-contest affair nonetheless.

Match preview

Burkina Faso suffered a 3-1 defeat against the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde whren the teams went head-to-head at Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde on July 18.

Hubert Velud's men fell behind to Bebe's opener but managed to restore parity through Issoufou Dayo, after which second-half strikes from Joao Paulo and Cle decided the contest.

That was a first defeat in six outings for Les Etalons since they were beaten 1-0 by Ivory Coast in the playoffs for the African Nations Championship.

Next up is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have lost each of the previous three editions of this fixture by a combined score of 11-2.

Currently on a run of four straight victories in front of their fans, Friday's hosts will be looking to put on a show in front of what is set to be an expectant home crowd.

Eswatini were dumped out of the group stages of the COSAFA Cup with a 2-1 defeat to South Africa at the Princess Magogo Stadium on July 11.

Dominic Kunene's men broke the deadlock courtesy of Bongwa Matsebula's opener six minutes into the second period before Tshegofatso Mabasa netted two goals 12 minutes apart to turn the game on its head.

As a result, Sihlangu Semnikati have now won just one of their most recent 10 matches across all competitions stretching back to July 2022.

Aiming to pick what would be only their first win as a visiting team in 16 months, Friday's visitors have a huge task on their hands as they look to conclude their AFCON qualifying journey on a high.

Team News

Bertrand Traore remains out of contention for Burkina Faso due to a muscle injury that has seen him each of Aston Villa's last two matches.

Issa Kabore makes an immediate return to the hosts' squad after he failed to receive a call-up for the defeat to Cape Verde last time out.

Twenty-eight-year-old Philani Mkhontfo was directly involved in two of Eswatini's three COSAFA Cup goals, making him one to keep an eye on here.

Sabelo Ndzinisa is on course to make his 62nd appearance for the away side, which would move him within nine caps of Tony Tsabedze's all-time record of 71.

Burkina Faso possible starting lineup:
Koffi; Kabore, Yago, Dayo, E. Tapsoba; Guira, Toure, Aziz Ki; A. Tapsoba, Ouattara, Badolo

Eswatini possible starting lineup:
Sandanezwe; Thwala, Silenge, Mamba, Msibi; Matse, Mabelesa, Dlamini; Matsebula, Ndzinisa, Mkhontfo

We say: Burkina Faso 3-1 Eswatini

Despite having already secured their AFCON ticket, Burkina Faso will be keen to confirm their place as group winners with all three points here. We are backing the home side to get the job done come the end of the 90 minutes.


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