Burkina Faso team picture during the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2026 match between Burkina Faso and Egypt at Stade du 4 Aout in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso on 09 September 2025 ©BackpagePix
Tuesday Dec 23, 2025. 11:03
Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea are expected to duke it out for second place in Group E as the two teams square off in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations opener at the Mohammed V Stadium on Wednesday.
Kick-off is at 10pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
Algeria are favourites to advance as winners of this group so it will be important for both the Stallions and the National Thunder to make a good start in Casablanca.
Brama Traore’s side finished six points behind Senegal as runners-up in their qualifying group with a record of three wins, one draw and two losses.
The West Africans, who reached the round of 16 in the 2023 edition, beat Niger (3-2) and Benin (3-0) in friendlies last month to conclude their preparations for the tournament in Morocco.
Equatorial Guinea were also paired with the Fennecs in qualifying and had to settle for second position in that group too after winning just two of their six matches and collecting eight points.
Juan Micha’s side bowed out in the round of 16 last time out as well in Ivory Coast, having gone one step further in 2021 when they fell in the quarter-finals.
The National Thunder warmed up for the continental showpiece with two friendlies in November, edging Kenya 1-0 before losing 2-0 to Madagascar.