Togo hopes to keep their slim hopes of qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations alive when they play Burkina Faso on Tuesday at the Stade de Kégué in Lome. The Stallions defeated the Sparrowhawks 1-0 on Friday, resulting in their second consecutive defeat thanks to Abdoul Tapsoba’s goal in the 87th minute.
With just one point from three games, Togo is last in Group B after the most recent round, while Burkina Faso is first with nine points. As the west African team looks to build on their fourth-place finish in the Cameroon showpiece last year, a victory here would almost guarantee them a spot in the AFCON finals. Abdoul Tapsoba will be hoping to be rewarded for his late heroics in their last game with a place in the starting XI on Tuesday, but head coach Hubert Velud may choose to field the same lineup.
Prediction
On their home turf, Togo can be difficult to beat, but their current team lacks experience. The Sparrowhawks, like in their previous encounter, could sit back and try to frustrate Burkina Faso, but the latter’s superior attack should see them through regardless.
Prediction: Burkina Faso 1-2 Togo
Head-To-Head
- Burkina Faso has won 17 of the 19 games it has played against Togo, while Togo has lost 16 of those games. The results of those games are closely divided.
- In a friendly match in May 2005, Togo defeated Burkina Faso by a score of 1-0.
- Burkina Faso has won each of their last four games against Togo, keeping a clean sheet in each of those three games, and has not lost in any of their last five games.
- In their last seven matches, Togo has not lost.
- Burkina Faso has won six of its last six games but has only kept three clean sheets.
- Togo’s two most recent home matches ended in draws: 2-2 against Eswatini and 1-1 against Senegal.
Team news
Burkina Faso enters this match in incredible form, having won 13 of their last 18 Africa Cup of Nations matches, including five in a row in recent weeks. Togo’s situation has changed dramatically in recent weeks, as a string of seven defeats in nine games has done little to improve their chances of staying in a fight that could be hard-fought.
During the current campaign, Togo has participated in the Africa Cup of Nations 16 times at home, with under 3.5 goals scored in each of these games. This has also been the case in 14 of Burkina Faso’s 16 top-flight away matches this season, so any deviation from this pattern would come as a surprise.
Lineup
| Burkina Faso | ||
| G | 16 | Kouakou Herve Koffi |
| D | 14 | Issoufou Dayo |
| D | 12 | Edmond Fayçal Tapsoba |
| M | 3 | Abdoul Guiebre |
| D | 9 | Issa Kabore |
| M | 24 | Adama Guira |
| M | 22 | Ibrahim Blati Touré |
| M | 20 | Gustavo Fabrice Sangaré |
| A | 10 | Bertrand Isidore Traoré |
| A | 2 | Lassina Traore |
| A | 7 | Dango Aboubacar Faissal Ouattara |
| Togo | ||
| G | 1 | Abdou Wassiou Ouro-Gneni |
| D | 21 | Djené Dakonam Ortega |
| D | 3 | Loïc Bessile |
| D | 22 | Roland Hermann Kossivi Amouzou |
| M | 15 | Jacques-Alaixys Romao |
| M | 14 | Roger Ben Boris Aholou |
| M | 17 | Karim Dermane |
| A | 10 | David Henen |
| A | 9 | Ihlas Bebou |
| A | 19 | Fo-Doh Kodjo Laba |
| A | 8 | Ahoueke Denkey |
Betting Tips
Result: Over/Under 2.5 Goals for Burkina Faso: Both teams to score over 2.5: Yes
Where to watch
Available on Eurosport app.