Burkina Faso vs South Africa Women WAFCON Preview
A place in the knockout stage of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations is up for grabs when Burkina Faso battle South Africa in their final Group B fixture.
With both teams facing a straightforward task on Tuesday, an open contest is on the cards and goals could be expected.
Key Stats
- Burkina Faso have scored in seven of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Burkina Faso have conceded in eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- South Africa have scored in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- South Africa have conceded in six of their last nine matches in all competitions.
Upper Hand for South Africa
South Africa are unbeaten in the two previous matches against Burkina Faso. They met twice during the qualifiers for the 2024 WAFCON, with Banyana Banyana playing out a 1-1 draw in the first leg before winning 2-0 in the second fixture.
Burkina Faso Up and Running
Burkina Faso jump-started their WAFCON campaign with a 2-1 victory over Tanzania in their previous fixture. Adele Kabre opened the scoring just before the break while Balkissa Sawadogo netted the winner 10 minutes from time.
It was a solid return to winning ways for Burkina Faso following the 4-1 defeat to Ivory Coast in their opening fixture. Pascal Sawadogo's team are currently third in the table and will put themselves in a great position to qualify with a win on Tuesday.
One of the issues for Burkina Faso lately is a lack of discipline at the back, having failed to keep a clean sheet in eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions. However, they have shown some attacking quality, scoring in seven of those 10 fixtures.
South Africa on the Board
South Africa also earned their first point of the tournament after playing out a 2-2 draw with Ivory Coast last time out. They fought back from two goals down, with second-half efforts from Thembi Kgatlana and Hildah Magaia earning them a share of the spoils.
The result means South Africa remain without a win in the group and sit bottom of the table with just one point. However, Banyana Banyana can still qualify but need to win on Tuesday and hope the other result goes their way.
South Africa are likely to come all out in this one and have scored in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions. However, manager Desiree Ellis will need to tighten up at the back, having conceded in six of their last nine matches in all competitions.
Team News and Predicted Line-ups
Burkina Faso (4-4-2): Nina Dabilogou; Stephanie Sow, Madinatou Rouamba, Alimata Belem, Diamilatou Zongo; Balkissa Sawadogo, Delwende Judicael, Rasmata Sawadogo, Juliette Nana; Adele Kabre, Adama Congo.
Burkina Faso came away from the last match with no injuries or suspensions and are likely to stick with the team that beat Tanzania. Kabre should feature in attack alongside Congo while Rouamba and Belem are set to continue in defence.
South Africa (4-1-4-1): Kaylin Swart; Fikile Magama, Bambanani Mbane, Karabo Dhlamini, Antonia Maponya; Bongeka Gamede, Noxolo Cesane, Refiloe Jane, Linda Motlhalo, Hildah Magaia; Thembi Kgatlana.
Magaia scored off the bench for South Africa last time out and could be handed a start on Tuesday. Kgatlana should lead the line once again while Bambanani and Dhlamini should maintain their central defensive partnership.