Aiming to confirm qualification for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, Cape Verde welcome Burkina Faso to Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the away make the journey to Praia seeking to confirm their place as group winners, having already booked their spot at next year's continental event.

Match preview

Burkina Faso were denied a fifth consecutive victory across all competitions in a 1-1 stalemate against Togo at Stade de Kegue on March 28.

Hubert Velud's men opened the scoring through Dango Ouattara but failed to hold on to their slender advantage as they conceded a 26th-minute leveller to Kodjo Laba.

As a result, Les Etalons have successfully made it through to the group phase of the upcoming AFCON after opening up an unassailable lead over Eswatini in third place of their qualifying group.

Next up is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have lost the most recent four meetings between the teams without scoring since winning each of the first three clashes.

With their last five matches on the road yielding just one victory, Sunday's visitors now face a tough task of coming away with all three points here.

Cape Verde played out a goalless stalemate against the Atlas Lions of Morocco in Monday's friendly between the sides at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

Despite being on the back foot for large spells of the contest, Bubista's men more than held their own to come away with a share of the spoils.

Sitting just three points behind Burkina Faso heading into this weekend's game, the Blue Sharks have an opportunity to move top of Group B, albeit only on goal difference.

Unbeaten in five straight home matches, Sunday's hosts will back themselves to secure another positive result in front of their fans and erase any doubt regarding their AFCON qualification status.

Team News

Goalkeeper Vozinha made his 62nd appearance for Cape Verde last time out, moving him joint-second in the all-time appearance chart, only behind Ryan Mendes.

With 14 international goals to his name, the aforementioned Mendes needs just one more strike to equal Heldon's current all-time record of 15 for the hosts.

Burkina Faso's Dango Ouattara put on a man-of-the-match display in the most recent encounter between Saturday's opponents, and he will be looking to deliver the goods once again.

Lassina Traore is unavailable for the away side as he remains sidelined with a knee injury, which is set to keep him out of action for a lengthy spell.

Cape Verde possible starting lineup:
Vozinha; Tavares, Stopira, Borges, Semedo; Cle, Paulo, Andrade, Tavares, Mendes; Teixeira

Burkina Faso possible starting lineup:
Koffi; Yago, Tapsoba, Nagalo, Kabore; Badalo, Sangare, Guira, Toure; Traore, Ouattara

We say: Cape Verde 1-2 Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso have enjoyed the better of this fixture of late and will approach this weekend's encounter with a lot of confidence. While we expect Cape Verde to give them a run for their money, we are backing the away side to carry the day.


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