Preview : Burkina Faso vs Gabon - Live streaming, lineups & Prediction

Burkina Faso vs Gabon

SCHEDULE	TIME
GAME	Burkina Faso vs Gabon
DATE	23.01.2022
TIME	11:00 AM (UTC)
VENUE	Limbe Stadium
LEAGUE	Africa Cup of Nations - Play Offs - 1/8-finals

TV Channel Info

More Information

Streaming starts 5 minutes before kick off

Match Preview

◉ The first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16 clash pits Group A runners-up Burkina Faso against Group C runners-up Gabon in what should prove to be an entertaining affair. With Gabon holding the edge in the competitive H2H record (W3, D2, L1), they’ll also be looking for revenge in this matchup after Burkina Faso ended their 2017 AFCON journey by knocking them out of the group stage.

◉ Burkina Faso do enter this knockout clash as slight favorites though, despite obtaining one less group stage point due to their record of one win, one draw, and one loss. With such a mixed bag of results, it's still difficult to know exactly what you’ll get when the ‘Stallions’ take to the pitch although with all three of their AFCON 2021 goals coming between the 20th and 40th minute, there has been some consistency. Their 3-0 H2H friendly victory just prior to this tournament may also give them a psychological edge!

◉ Gabon battled their way through to the knockout rounds courtesy of a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Morocco, a match that twice saw them take the lead before being pegged back. That could affect their confidence heading into this match, whilst the loss of star man Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang due to Covid-19 related health problems could prove pivotal in potentially lowering squad morale.

◉ The success of qualifying from their AFCON group for just the third time in tournament history should spur the ‘Panthers’ on regardless, and they enter this clash unbeaten across five of their last six competitive outings (W3, D2, L1). With six of their eight goals in that streak coming after half-time, expect Gabon to fight to the death in this affair.

◉ Players to watch: Burkina Faso’s Abdoul Tapsoba has four strikes across six previous competitive internationals, three of which have come between the 46th and 65th minute. Jim Allevinah has netted two of Gabon’s three AFCON goals so far, whilst three of his four overall international goals have arrived in the second half.

◉ Hot stat: Burkina Faso had five or more corners in all three AFCON group stage matches.

Burkina Faso starting lineup:
Koffi; E Tapsoba, Dayo, Yago, Kabore; Guira, Toure; Traore, Sanagre, Bayala; A Tapsoba

Gabon starting lineup:
Amonome; Oyono, Manga, Palun, Sambissa; Poko, Kanga, Obiang; Bouanga; Allevinah, Boupendza

Prediction

Burkina Faso 2-1 Gabon

We anticipate a very open contest with the result tipping either way as both sides, who are evenly matched on paper, head into the game in similar form. However, we predict Burkina Faso will nick the win as they boast the experienced players needed at this stage of the tournament.