Burkina Faso vs Cameroon
On the weekend in which the Africa Cup of Nations 2021 draws to a close, the battle for third place will excite few.
Even some supporters of Burkina Faso and Cameroon could be forgiven for thinking they would rather go and lick their wounds from painful semi-final defeats earlier this week.
Yet, the bronze medal is up for grabs and that would be a modicum of consolation.
Talking Points
Cameroon, five-time winners of the tournament including in 2017, would have been bitterly disappointed when they went out to Egypt in the lottery of a penalty shootout.
The hosts had shown more impetus in 90 minutes, twice hitting the post through Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui’s looping header and Samuel Gouet’s thunderous long-range strike, which flicked the woodwork.
Yet Cameroon missed three of their four spot-kicks as Egypt triumphed to gain revenge for their defeat in that final in 2017 and consign the Indomitable Lions to this play-off in a match which coach Toni Conceicao described as the harsh reality of sport.
It is a short turnaround for Cameroon whose semi-final was only on Thursday night.
A reason has not been made for bringing the game forward, the decision made after consultations with the tournament organising committee and Cameroon government.
As Yaounde’s Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium prepares to host both teams, the raw wounds of the tragedy in which eight people lost their lives and another 38 people were injured, seven seriously at Stade Olembé remain in the country.
On the team news front, Burkina Faso will be boosted by the return of Lorient youngster Ouattara who was suspended for the semi-final after picking up a red card in their quarter-final win against Tunisia.
Herve Koffi is a major doubt after the 25 year-old goalkeeper was forced to leave the fray before half-time of the semi-final.
For Cameroon, Vincent Aboubakar has been on song for the Indomitable Lions, leading the goalscoring chart with six goals from six games.
The former Porto man will be eyeing the Golden Boot prize. And spearheaded by the frontman, that is why I think Cameroon will create the Africa Cup of Nations 2021 highlights and seal third place.
History
This is the second meeting of the tournament between the sides.
They met in their opening game of the group stages when Aboubakar struck twice to cancel out Gustavo Sangare’s 24th-minute opener and hand the host nation all three points. Since then, Burkina Faso have gone on something of a fairytale run.
That continued their recent fine record against the minnows with Cameroon, claiming two victories alongside three draws since 2015.
That one reverse came in a 2018 friendly with the only goal of the contest from Bertrand Traore.
Overall, Cameroon have five successes and one loss alongside four draws.
The first encounter came in this tournament in 1998 when Alphonse Tchami netted the only goal of the game.
Their meeting in this tournament, again in the group stages just over a year ago, resulted in a goalless draw.
Betting Tip
 |
 | Burkina Faso vs Cameroon | Cameroon Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 1.76 |
| February 6, 3:00 (GMT+8) |
Cameroon are favourites with the SBOTOP Africa Cup of Nations 2021 betting odds.
At this stage, the only odds available are Asian Handicap Cameroon 0.00 @ 1.45 or Burkina Faso 0.00 @ 2.81.
In the end, though, we’re backing for Cameroon given their collective experience and winning history in the tournament.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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