Limbe Stadium will plays host to the surprise round-of-16 clash between the surprise packages of Burkina Faso and Gabon, on Sunday at 17:00 GMT.
Match Preview
Burkina Faso will be primed to face Gabon as they seek to qualify for the quarter finals of the 2022 AFCON tournament in Cameron.
With both teams having their full squads available, the match will be a clash between two teams that were not fancied to get to this stage.
Form Guide
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso won one, drew one, and lost one match in their run in Group A that ended with a second-placed finish with 4 points, 3 behind group winners Cameroon.
Gabon
Gabon won one match and drew the other two in their Group C outings as they finished second, 2 points behind group winners Morocco.
Team News
Gabon has a couple of players on a yellow card; however, they do not have any suspensions or injuries so far. Their squad will be primed for the clash against Burkinabe.
Burkina Faso’s camp reports no niggles or fitness issues that will affect the upcoming round of-16 tie. This will be a boots ahead of the clash on Sunday, with a place in the quarter finals in Cameroon at stake.
Possible Starting Lineups
Burkina Faso
Ouedraogo, I. Kabore, I. Dayo, E. Tapsoba, S. Yago; A. Guira, B. Toure; B. Traore, G. Sangare, C. Bayala; B. H. Bande
Gabon
Amonome; L. Palun, B. Ecuele Manga, J. Assoumou; A. Oyono, A. Moucketou, A. Poko, J. Obiang; G. Kanga; J. Allevinah, A. Boupendza
Players to Watch
G. Sangare
The Quevilly-Rouen-based midfielder has been instrumental in the progression of Burkinabe into the round-of-16 stage of the AFCON tournament in Cameroon.
The creative midfielder is crucial in linking the Burkinabe midfield with attack through his creative play and link-up passing.
Sangare also offers a robust goal threat as shown by his 24th-minute strike against hosts Cameroon in their Group A opener in the eventual 2-1 defeat against the hosts.
The midfielder will be crucial for Burkinabe when they face Gabon with a quarter-final slot at stake.
Jim Allevinah
The striker has been instrumental for Gabon’s run through the group stages, and is poised to play a central role against Burkina Faso.
Allevinah’s two goals in the AFCON tournament in Cameroon have been crucial in their second-place finish behind Morocco, and at the expense of early favourites and footballing giants Ghana.
The striker will bet at the centre of Gabon’s hopes of overcoming Burkina Faso on Sunday and making the quarter finals in Cameroon.
Prediction
Both teams will play a disciplined and solid style of football. At the round-of-16, the stakes are high, and a cagey affair is expected.
Gabon will approach the game with a back five when defending, with the wing-backs tucking back to squeeze the spaces and make it hard for Burkinabe to penetrate.
Burkina Faso will maintain their disciplined approach based on two banks of four, and attack through transitions and counter attacks.
Chances will be at a premium and a draw is expected in normal time.
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