AFCON 2013: Burkina Faso vs Togo preview

February 2, 2013
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Burkina Faso vs ZambiaMany were surprised to see Burkina Faso and Togo in the quarter-finals, but the reality is one of the two teams will be fighting for a place in the 2013 AFCON final.

The Burkinabe arrived in South Africa hoping to make amends for the 2012 tournament, when they crashed out in group stage without picking up a single point in the process.

Having been placed in the same group as reigning champions Zambia and giants Nigeria, the Stallions were always going to have a tough task of qualifying for the next stage, but they impressed to win the first place in the group.

While sharing spoils with both Nigeria and Zambia, Burkina Faso recorded a 4-0 win over Ethiopia, scoring no less than three goals with ten men on the pitch.

Excellent showings in group stage should give the team plenty of confidence ahead of the match with Togo, so bear in mind Paul Put’s side are 1.91 (10/11) with Ladbrokes to qualify for the final.

The absence of star forward Alain Traore could prove to be a problem, but the good news is all other players are in contention for the Togo clash.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Diakite – Koffi, P. Koulibaly, B. Kone, Panadetiguiri – D. Kone, Kabore, Rouamba – Balima, Bance, Pitroipa.

Togo returned to the biggest stage for the first time since the attack on the team bus during the 2010 AFCON, but not too many people expected the Sparrow Hawks can make it to the quarter-finals.

Didier Six’s side, however, managed to defy the odds and qualify for the next stage in spite of the opening defeat to Ivory Coast.

After seeing off Algeria, Togo rode their luck in the final group fixture against Tunisia, with their opponents missing a penalty for the win in the closing stages of the match.

Having already exceeded the expectations, the Sparrow Hawks will be under no pressure in the clash with Burkina Faso, and that should help them produce a good showing and maybe even create another surprise.

SkyBet has Togo at 2.00 (1/1) to progress to the semi-finals, which could have something to do with the fact that they will not be at full strength.

Defender Dare Nibombe and forward Jonathan Ayite both miss out through suspension, but at least there are no injury worries at the moment.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-2-1): Agassa – Mamah, Ouro-Akariko, Akakpo, Djene – Bossou, Amewou, Romao – F. Ayite, Gakpe – Adebayor.

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