Senegal vs Burkina Faso Preview & Prediction | 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying | Group L
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These two sides have been among the strongest on the continent, to very different extents, and they both meet in the first qualifying game of 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations as 2021 winners Senegal take on Burkina Faso.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Friday 6th September, 2024 - UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – beIN Sports streaming platforms
SENEGAL PREVIEW: ALIOU CISSE REMAINS
Aliou Cisse remains in charge of a Senegalese side that still have quite a lot of experience and a very similar squad to the Lions of Teranga side that won the 2021 CAF Africa Cup of Nations and reached the knockout stages of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
They come into this one on the back of a slender 1-0 defeat of Mauritania to maintain their unbeaten start to 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification over the summer.
BURKINA FASO PREVIEW: FADING AWAY
Burkina Faso finished as runners’ up at the 2013 CAF Africa Cup of Nations before reaching the semi-finals of both the 2017 and 2021 events but that has been undermined by poor qualifying campaigns for FIFA World Cups.
The Burkinabe’s haven’t had a great 18 months or so and they come into this one on the back of a 2-2 draw with Sierra Leone, meaning they are now winless in their last seven matches.
SENEGAL TEAM NEWS: STACKED IN ATTACK
Al Nassr forward and all-time top scorer Sadio Mane is not involved for Senegal but they still have a plethora of attacking options such as Ismaila Sarr, Nicolas Jackson and Iliman Ndiaye.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): S. Dieng; F. Mendy, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Jakobs; I. Gueye, H. Diarra, N. Mendy; Diallo, Jackson, Dia
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
BURKINA FASO TEAM NEWS: FULLY FIT AND AVAILABLE
Brahima Traore is blessed with a fully fit and available squad for this week with the importance placed upon the shoulders of Edmond Tapsoba at the back and Dango Ouattara in attack.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Nikiema; Ouedraogo, Tapsoba, Nagalo, Yago; Badolo, Banse, Ki; Ouattara, Traore, Bande
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
SENEGAL VS BURKINA FASO PREDICTION
Both of these sides appear to be heading out of the back of a so-called ‘golden generation’ but there remains quite a lot of talent on both sides. Senegal remain heavy favourites for this opening qualifier, especially with home advantage, but if both sides have their way then it will be a controlled, low-scoring, fine margin affair that doesn’t really appeal or thrill a neutral observer.
SENEGAL VS BURKINA FASO TIP: SENEGAL TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
