In their final group game, Burkina
Faso and Zambia clash at the
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, with
qualification to the knockout
rounds the very visible prize. Few would have predicted, when
the Afcon schedules will drawn
out, that Burkina Faso would top
the group at this late stage, yet
the Stallions' four points have
been earned on merit. Zambia, on the other hand, are in danger of
crashing out - their euphoric
victory a year ago but a distant
memory. The Burkinabe will fly into the
contest filled with confidence
after their emphatic 4-0 victory
over Ethiopia in the same stadium
they compete in now. Still, it
would take a brave man to bet against Zambia, who won so many
admirers with their emotional
victory in 2012. The Stallions'
victory last week might have
flattered them as well, with
Ethiopia becoming visibly demoralised as the game
progressed. The west Africans will, however,
be without veteran keeper
Abdoulaye Soulama, recalled to
the team by Paul Put, but who
was dismissed in the second half
for handling outside his area. Alain Traore, Nigeria's nemesis
back in the first match, will once
again look to be the hero. The
French-based player, currently
the tournament's top scorer,
could score the goals to secure Burkina Faso's place in the
knockout stages. Herve Renard will hope not, and
will be able to call on the sublime
talents of Rainford Kalaba, who
looked so influential and
impressive against Nigeria, to try
and save his side. The crux of last season's victorious side will also
be present, and the likes of
Christopher Katongo, Joseph
Musonda, and the heroic Kennedy
Mweene will do everything in their
power to keep the side alive.