AFCON 2025: Burkina Faso vs Equatorial Guinea preview, prediction, team news and head-to-head

The two countries are not favourites for the 2025 AFCON, but they have a respectable tournament history and they have an early opportunity to impress.

Burkina Faso, following a strong run of reaching the semi-finals in three out of four AFCONs between 2013 and 2021, will be looking to improve upon their last-16 exit against Mali in the 2023 tournament. 

They come into this fixture in excellent form, currently on a six-game unbeaten streak, having netted at least three goals in four of those matches. 

Despite this formidable shape, the team has historically been a slow starter at the tournament, having won only one of their 13 previous AFCON opening games. Encouragingly, that sole victory occurred in the 2023 event.

Equatorial Guinea, on the other hand, are set to make its fifth AFCON appearance, only their third time qualifying on merit. They have a reputation for overachieving, boasting three quarter-final appearances, even though their last campaign in 2023 also ended in the last 16. 

Their current momentum is low, with just one win in their last five internationals. This includes a forfeited World Cup qualifier against Malawi in October due to a players' strike, an incident that saw head coach Juan Michá suspended and subsequently reinstated. 

Michá aims to replicate the "Red Devils'" successful group stage performance from 2023, where they remained undefeated and scored nine goals.

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The historical record between these two nations has been incredibly tight, especially in tournament settings. 

The two countries have only met thrice, with the Stallions claiming the only victory. Their last two encounters ended in a draw.

The last time both teams met, they settled for a 0-0 draw in a friendly game and their second meeting was in the 2015 AFCON tournament, with the match ending in another 0-0 draw.

Burkina Faso does not appear to have suffered any late injury-related setbacks and are expected to have a fully fit squad available for selection.

Equatorial Guinea are also free from any reported late injury issues, with the coach able to choose from their full complement of players ahead of the match.

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Burkina Faso (4-2-3-1): Koffi; Kabore, Tapsoba, Djiga, Kouassi; Ouedraogo, Zougrana; Ouattara, Toure, Irie; Traore

Equatorial Guinea (4-2-3-1): Owono; Akapo, Orozco, Coco, Ndong; Ganet, Eneme; Asue, Salvador, Nabil; Nsue

Given the impressive form of Burkina Faso in their last five games heading into this competition, we expect them to secure a narrow win in this encounter.

We do not expect many goals in this tie, as both teams will be very cautious to avoid making errors that could result in a tournament exit.