MBABANE – Sihlangu should brace themselves for a tough encounter when they face Burkina Faso in today’s final Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The Dominic Kunene-led charges will be playing away against the ‘Stallions’, as Burkina Faso is fondly known, in the AFCON qualifiers last round of games. The game will be played at Grand Stadium of Marrakech (Grand Stade de Marrakech) tonight.
Kick-off time is 8pm. Despite that the Stallions have already qualified; they selected a strong squad to face Sihlangu. There are over 10 Europe-based players, who have been selected to face the Dominic Kunene-led side. Up to 25 players were called in with a few top players receiving invitations while one notable player will be absent. Qualification for the final tournament in Ivory Coast is confirmed for Burkina Faso, who are joined from Group B by Cape Verde.
The notable absentee in Velud’s team is Aston Villa attacker Bertrand Traoré. The captain was excused from national team duty to focus on recovery from an injury that continues to prevent him from appearing with the English Premier League club.
Attack
Bournemouth forward Dango Ouattara is the star of the Burkinabé attack with Russian-based striker Mohamed Konaté returning to the squad. Abdoul Tapsoba, Cyrille Bayala, Mamady Bangré and Stephane Aziz Ki of Young Africans are candidates to join Ouattara in the attack against Eswatini. There is plenty of experience in the spine of the Burkinabé team. Edmond Tapsoba, Steeve Yago and Issoufou Dayo are the veteran leaders of the defense and Pyramids FC midfielder Ibrahim Blati Touré will be the anchor deep in the midfield.
Right back Issa Kaboré returns to the team after missing the previous match, a defeat at Cape Verde. Right to Dream graduate Adamo Nagalo and Nasser Djiga are younger defenders, who may receive an opportunity with little at stake in the final qualifying match. Sihlangu is currently at the bottom of the group with two points, while Burkina Faso is sitting on top of the standings with 10 points.
