2023 AFCON: Algeria v Burkina Faso preview

Day eight of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations gets underway with a Group D clash between Algeria and Burkina Faso at the Stade de la Paix.

Date: Saturday, 20 January 2024

Kick-off: 16h00 CAT

Head-to-head: The two teams have met once previously at AFCON way back in 1998 when the Stallions ran out 2-1 victors during the group stages. The Fennec Foxes won their next encounter, a friendly, 3-0 on 9 February 2005 and their most recent two meetings ended in 2-2 and 1-1 draws during the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign. Their head-to-head record is dead-even with three wins and three draws each.

Algeria’s last three results: Djamel Belmadi’s side closed out 2023 with a 2-0 victory over Mozambique on November 19 in a 2026 World Cup qualifier and they warmed up for the continental showpiece by beating Burundi 4-0 on January 9. Their Group D campaign began with a 1-1 draw against Angola on January 15.

Burkina Faso’s last three results: The West Africans played two friendlies to prepare for the tournament, losing 2-1 to Iran on January 5 before triumphing 2-1 against DR Congo five days later. They kicked off proceedings in Ivory Coast with a 1-0 win over Mauritania on January 16.

Team news: Neither camp reported any injuries after their opening matches and have a clean bill of health for this weekend.

Key player – Algeria: Baghdad Bounedjah opened Algeria’s account with a well-taken goal against the Black Sable Antelopes on 18 minutes and thought he had scored again seven minutes later with an audacious overhead-kick, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.

Key player – Burkina Faso: Bertrand Traore made a telling impact off the bench against the Lions of Chinguetti, playing in Issa Kabore on the right with a threaded pass which led to the penalty that the substitute converted in the 96th minute to clinch a dramatic victory.