Minnows Mauritania aim to down ‘big boys’ at Afcon
Mauritania coach Amir Abdou is hoping his side can mix it up with some of the best teams on the continent when they take on Burkina Faso in their opening Group D encounter at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday 16 January.
Kick-off is at 16h00 (CAT)
CURRENT FORM
Burkina Faso go into the tournament on the back of a 2-1 win against Congo DR in a Friendly match that took place on the 10th of January. In four matches prior, the Stallions recorded two wins, one draw and defeat across the board, which included a 2-1 victory against Mauritania in a Friendly tie that was played out at Stade Pere-Jego on the 17th of October 2023.
Mauritania on the other hand are winless in their last four matches in all competitions and jotted down two consecutive goalless draws against South Sudan and Tunisia in their most recent fixtures. Prior to the abovementioned ties, Mauritania recorded defeats to Congo DR and Burkina Fasowith their last victory taking place at Stade El Bachir, where they bagged a 2-1 win over Madagascar in an international friendly.
TEAM NEWS
As a major injury worry for Burkina Faso, national team captain Bertrand Traore is believed to be recovering from a knock he picked up in December 2023, with a return date to action yet to be confirmed by the Burkina Faso football federation. As for Mauritania, Mourabitounes reported no injury issues in their camp ahead of the tournament.
WHAT WAS SAID…
“The Africa Cup of Nations is special for us,” said Burkina Faso star Edmond Tapsoba.
“We are stronger than we have been in previous editions because we have improved a lot in every position.
“There is no small team. Everyone is improving and we have been so it can be said that we are in a difficult group.
“We played against
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