Sudan v Burkina Faso – Line-ups, stats and preview
Sudan take on Burkina Faso this coming Wednesday in the Africa Cup of Nations. Read our in-depth preview here
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Match Preview for Sudan v Burkina Faso
As the group phase of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations draws to a close, Sudan and Burkina Faso meet on Wednesday evening with the second automatic qualification place in Group E at stake.
Both sides head into the contest on three points, with Burkina Faso occupying second place on goal difference, while Sudan sit third and still firmly in contention for progression.
Sudan began their AFCON campaign with a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Algeria, struggling to impose themselves against fellow North African opposition.
Knowing that their hopes of qualification hinged on their second group fixture, Kwesi Appiah’s side responded with a vital 1-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea, courtesy of a second-half own goal.
That win was only Sudan’s second victory at AFCON finals since lifting the trophy on home soil in 1970, ending a run that had seen them record three draws and nine defeats across their previous 13 matches at the tournament.
More importantly, the result keeps the Falcons of Jediane in the race for automatic qualification heading into their final group match.
A win on Wednesday would see Sudan advance to the round of 16, while a draw could still be enough to progress as one of the best third-placed teams, depending on results elsewhere.
Sudan may also take confidence from past meetings, having beaten Burkina Faso 2-1 at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
Burkina Faso, meanwhile, arrive in Casablanca looking to bounce back from a narrow 1-0 defeat to Algeria in their second group game.
That result ended a seven-match unbeaten run across all competitions for the Stallions, a sequence that included six victories and a draw.
Despite that setback, Burkina Faso remain well placed to claim the second automatic qualification spot, having won their opening Group E fixture and maintained a superior goal difference to Sudan.
Victory on Wednesday would secure a fourth consecutive appearance in the AFCON knockout stages, while defeat would leave them reliant on third-place qualification.
Team news for Sudan v Burkina Faso
There are no fresh injury concerns for either side ahead of their final and most important group match.
Sudan welcome back Salaheldin Alhassan, who returns from suspension after missing the win over Equatorial Guinea.
Monged Elneel is expected to retain his place in goal following a solid performance last time out.
Kwesi Appiah may stick with the same starting lineup after a disciplined display against Algeria, where Sudan competed well despite conceding the only goal of the match.
Burkina Faso also have a settled squad, with Herve Koffi set to continue between the posts.
In defence, Steve Yago, Issoufou Dayo, Edmond Tapsoba and Arsene Kouassi should form the back four, while Bertrand Traore, Pierre Kabore and Dango Ouattara are expected to lead the attack.
Expected line-ups for Sudan v Burkina Faso
Sudan: Elneel; Barglan, Saeed Ahmed, Karshom, Khamis; Khidir, Omer, Taifour; Abdallah, Eisa, Abdelrahman
Burkina Faso: Koffi; Yago, Dayo, Tapsoba, Kouassi; Sangare, Ouedraogo, Zougrana; Traore, Kabore, Ouattara
How to watch Sudan v Burkina Faso: TV channel, online stream
Kick-off on Wednesday is at 16:00 GMT (11:00 ET / 08:00 PT). In the UK, live AFCON 2025 coverage is on Channel 4 Sport’s YouTube channel. In the USA, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.
Online live streaming is available on a vast range of devices through Channel 4’s website and app and the beIN Sports app.
The stats for Sudan v Burkina Faso
• Sudan have won just two of their last 14 Africa Cup of Nations matches
• Sudan have kept one clean sheet in their last six AFCON fixtures
• Sudan have scored just once in two Group E matches
• Burkina Faso have reached the AFCON knockout stages in three consecutive tournaments
• Burkina Faso won their opening Group E match and remain ahead of Sudan on goal difference
• Burkina Faso had been unbeaten in seven matches before losing to Algeria
• Burkina Faso have conceded just one goal in this AFCON group stage
• Burkina Faso beat Sudan 2-1 when the sides last met at AFCON in 2012
Prediction
Sudan
Burkina Faso
Sudan showed plenty of resilience to secure a crucial victory over Equatorial Guinea, but Burkina Faso possess greater quality and experience at this level.
With qualification on the line, the Stallions should have enough control and attacking threat to secure all three points and book their place in the knockout stages.
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