PROBABLE LINEUPS
BURKINA FASO
Diakite
H.Traore, B.Kone, Koulibaly, Panandetiguiri
Pitroipa, Rouamba, Kabore, Koffi
A. Traore,
Dagano
ETHIOPIA
Tadelle
Hailu, Eliase, Tesfaye, Butako
Bekele, Megresa, Bekele, Said
Kebede, Girma
Minnows Ethiopia and Burkina Faso lock horns in a must win encounter for both teams on Friday as far as qualification to the quarter-finals of 2013 Africa Cup of Nations is concerned.
Following a clean bill of health by the medical team, both coaches are expected to retain squads that did duty in the first game, save for a forced change by the Walya Antelopes with Sefnet Bishaw expected to call upon the services of reserve custodian Zerihun Tadele in the absence of suspended Jemal Tessaw, following his red card.
Bishaw will be hoping his charges pick up from where they left off against Zambia's Chipolopolo in the opening game.
The east Africans earned several plaudits for a display that secured them a credible draw against the defending champions, despite playing for more than an hour with ten men.
On the other hand, Burkina Faso's Stallions will feel prepared for this duel, and take comfort in the encouraging display in the 1-1 stalemate against Nigeria's Super Eagles in their first game.
Both coaches seem satisfied with the results earned thus far and have promised to prepare their players to build on from that form.
"Playing Zambia in the opening game was a very difficult task. Our players now need to gather confidence and get into their stride immediately because our next achievement is to prevail against Burkina Faso," said Ethiopia coach Bishaw at a press conference.
"Ethiopia will not be easy. They are very confident and I believe they have produced the surprise result of the tournament so far. With accurate finishing, they would have beaten Zambia. We will be ready for them," declared Paul Put to reporters.
Alain Traore, who struck at the death to deny Nigeria maximum points, will be the key man once again for the Stallions alongside midfielder Jonathan Pitroipa, who caused a great deal of trouble during the match.
Pitroipa will likely be supporting captain Moumouni Dagano and Traore, and the pair have more than enough natural ability to test Zerihun Tadele and the defenders charged with protecting Ethiopia’s goal.
Ethiopia’s hopes will once again be pegged on Adane Girma, who secured the vital draw against Zambia in the opening contest.
DID YOU KNOW?
This will be the first meeting between the two nations in a competitive tournament.
Both teams have previously hosted the Africa Cup of Nations. The Walya Antelopes staged the event in 1962 while the Stallions hosted the competition 36 years later.
Burkina Faso are considered the weakest of the eight west African nations at the 2013 Afcon, despite gracing the tournament in eight of the last nine occasions.
Ethiopia are the lowest ranked team at the 2013 Afcon as they are positioned at 110, while Burundi are placed 92nd.
The Walya Antelopes are making a return to the competition after a 31-year absence.
Paul Put took over from Portuguese manager Paulo Duarte in March following the Stallions’ woeful return from the 2012 Nations Cup, where they lost all three of their games and crashed out in the group stage.
Captain Moumouni Dagano, who joined the national team in 1999 while playing for local side Etoile Filante, remains Burkina Faso’s all time top scorer with 31 goals.
Ethiopia will face Burkina Faso without the services of goalkeeper Jemal Tessaw, who was red carded for a professional foul during the opening match against defending champions Zambia.
Prediction
This match is a tough one to call, but the sides seem to be evenly matched in recent play. A draw seems to be a strong possibility, in a tournament where draws are the order of the day.
Editor's Prediction
Burkina Faso 1-1 Ethiopia
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