Malo replaces Coulibaly in Burkina Faso squad

Diakite Daouda, Burkina Faso goalkeeper instructs his teammate Patrick Malo during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier match against Uganda Cranes on 29 March 2016 at Mandela Stadium, Namboole. ©Ismail Kezaala/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Oct 03, 2017. 16:00

Burkina Faso international Patrick Malo is part of the Stallions squad that will lock horns with South Africa.

Bafana Bafana will welcome the Stallions in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualification Group D match on Saturday.

The encounter is scheduled to take place at the iconic FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The defender was omitted from the Burkina Faso squad by head coach Paulo Duarte, who stated that the player was repeatedly making "mistakes".

According to BBC African Football, Malo is back after Le Havre defender Yacouba Coulibaly suffered an injury that has ruled him out of the clash with Bafana.

Malo, who plies his trade in Egypt for Smouha, featured in Burkina Faso's Group D matches against Senegal last month with both games ending in draw.

Duarte disclosed that the 25-year-old had to rush to the dressing room to find his match shirt when asked to come on as a substitute during the Senegal game in Dakar.

The Stallions are currently sitting at the top of Group D standings with six points, but they are ahead of second-placed Cape Verde on goal-difference with two matches left.

However, third-placed Senegal and fourth-placed South Africa both a game in hand. Senegal will win the group and qualify for the finals if they win all of their remaining games.