Burkina Faso and Senegal will be looking to move into first place in Group L of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they go head to head at the Stade du 26 Mars on Thursday.
Having gone unbeaten in their opening four matches, both nations have all but guaranteed their spot in Morocco as they sit level on points at the top of the standings, with a six-point lead over third-placed Burundi.
Match preview
© Imago
Burkina Faso continued to ride high in the race for a place in the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations as they picked up a 2-0 victory over Burundi at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on October 13.
Al Riyadh forward Mohamed Konate handed the Stallions a dream start to the game as he opened the scoring in the fifth minute before 29-year-old Bertrand Traore converted from the spot in the 94th minute to put the result beyond reach.
This was a second consecutive victory over Burundi for Burkina Faso, who stormed to a 4-1 win in the first of their October double-header courtesy of goals from Sacha Banse, Issoufou Dayo and a brace from Bournemouth's Dango Ouattara.
Brama Traoe Traore's men have now won each of their last three matches in Group L, scoring nine goals and conceding twice since San Jose Earthquakes forward Ousseni Bouda struck in the 90th minute to hand them a 1-1 draw with Senegal in the group opener on September 6.
While Burkina Faso will look to make it four competitive wins on the trot for the first time since June 2008, they go up against an opposing side whom they have failed to get the better of in any of their last six encounters, losing twice and claiming four draws since a 1-0 victory in October 2006.
Like Burkina Faso, Senegal also made it three wins on the bounce in the AFCON qualifiers as they edged out Malawi 1-0 when the two nations squared off at the Bingu National Stadium on October 15.
The Lions of Teranga were guilty of a wasteful display in front of goal as they failed to convert several clear-cut scoring chances before Sadio Mane came up clutch with a 96th-minute winner to dash the hearts of Malawi.
Having failed to see out their narrow lead against Burkina Faso in September's group opener, Senegal bounced back with a 1-0 victory over Burundi in September before claiming back-to-back wins over Malawi in their October double-header.
Pape Thiaw's men, who are the second highest-ranked African nation in the latest FIFA World Rankings (20), have picked up 10 points from a possible 12 in Group L to sit second in the standings, only below Thursday's hosts on goal difference.
Team News
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Burkina Faso have called up 25 players for November's qualifying games against Senegal and Malawi, with head coach Traore sticking with the majority of the players called up during October's international break.
With his strike against Burundi, skipper Traore now has 21 goals in 80 senior caps since his debut in September 2011 and the Ajax forward should lead the Stallions' attack once again, alongside Ouattara and 23-year-old Lassina Traore.
At the opposite end of the pitch, we expect to see a back four of Issa Kabore, Issoufou Dayo, Edmond Tapsoba and 21-year-old Mohamed Ouedraogo, shielding Farid Ouedraogo between the sticks.
Having taken over from Aliou Cisse in October, interim clash Thiaw has won each of his three games at the helm of affairs and will look to maintain his 100% record on Thursday.
The 43-year-old has named a star-studded 28-man list for November's qualifiers, with the likes of Mane, Jackson, Idrissa Gana Gueye and skipper Kalidou Koulibaly headlining the squad.
Having missed October's qualifiers through injury, former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has returned to the fold while Monaco forward Krepin Diatta has been handed his first call-up in 10 months.
Thiaw had also included two new faces into the Senegal setup, with 20-year-old midfielder Ibrahima Seck and Metz striker Cheick Tidiane Sabaly earning their debut call-ups.
Burkina Faso possible starting lineup:
F Ouedraogo; Kabore, Dayo, Tapsoba, M Ouedraogo; Simpore, Banse, I Toure; B Traore, L Traore, D Ouattara
Senegal possible starting lineup:
E Mendy; F Mendy, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Jakobs; P Sarr, Gueye, Camara; I Sarr, Ndiaye, Mane; Jackson
We say: Burkina Faso 1-2 Senegal
The last three meetings between Burkina Faso and Senegal have seen a combined 10 goals scored, and we anticipate another action-packed contest at the Stade du 26 Mars on Thursday.
Burkina Faso narrowly avoided defeat when the two nations met in September, and while they have been tough to crack in the qualifiers, Senegal's quality should see them to all three points in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
