| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
BURKINA FASO  Diakite Gnanou, Tall, Kere, B. Kone Pitroipa, Rouamba, Koffi A. Traore Kebe, Dagano | ANGOLA  Carlos Zuela, Dany, Mingo Bile, Andre Macanga Dédé, Gilberto, Miguel Quiame, Mateus Djalma, Manucho |
The scramble for points in the early stages of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations continues this Sunday between Group B contenders Burkina Faso and Angola.
The Stallions have had to go through a great deal of mental stress fuelled by qualifying group opponents Namibia ahead of the tournament. A last minute ruling by the Court of Arbitration of Sports saved them after the Brave Warriors filed a protest against an alleged ineligible player, Herve Zengue, who was fielded against them.
Now, the Stallions may feel that they have to prove why they deserve a slot amongst the final 16 teams after all the legal issues with the Namibian FA.
But that will not come easy. The Palancas Negras will also want to make up for their painful quarter-final finish at the 2010 edition, which they hosted. Lito Vidigal is parading his stars in an obvious mission aimed at going beyond their best quarter-final finishes in the 2008 and 2010 editions.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Since the 1996 edition Burkina Faso have qualified for every tournament aside from the 2006 event, and this feat was reached after their long absence in the continental showpiece following their maiden appearance in 1978.
- Burkina Faso’s best finish was the fourth place they achieved in 1998 when they hosted the event.
- Burkina Faso youngsters Bertrand and Alain Traore are brothers, who play their club football for Chelsea and Auxerre respectively.
- Neither team has ever won the Afcon trophy before, but Angola have a more impressive record in the tournament compared to their opponents.
- Angola reached the 2012 finals by winning their qualification pool on the final day of matches.
- Angola hosted the previous Africa Cup of Nations tournament in 2010, with Egypt taking their third title in a row in the final match.
Angola look organised and well psyched up for this tournament and ready to make their mark with an opening victory.
Editor's Prediction
Burkina Faso 0-1 Angola 
