Last AFCON runners-up Burkina Faso must beat hosts to survive

Coral writers preview the second round of Africa Cup of Nations Group A games, with home nation Equatorial Guinea up against Burkina Faso (both 11/2 to top the pool), followed by a duel between Gabon (1/2) and Congo (13/2).

Equatorial Guinea v Burkina Faso
Paul Put’s Stallions (even-money favourites for victory), who were runners-up at the Africa Cup of Nations, face elimination if they lose to this year’s hosts Equatorial Guinea (3/1), after being beaten by Gabon in their opening group game.

Burkina Faso skipper and former Marseille player Charles Kabore, 5/1 to score anytime, spoke ahead of the match, saying: “This competition is not yet over for us. Were we to win against the host nation, then everything will be back on track for us.”

They will be hoping to rely on Traore brothers Alain, who scored the sole goal against National Thunder in these to nations’ only previous meeting, and Bertrand for this encounter too. Back them at 21/10 and 14/5 respectively in the anytime market.

Equatorial Guinea, meanwhile, claimed a draw against Congo in their opener, and are 9/4 to share the spoils once more.

Middlesbrough’s Emilio Nsue got their goal in that game, and he is 13/5 to net again anytime.

Gabon v Congo
Table-toppers Gabon go into this match led by Borussia Dortmund star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who opened the scoring against Burkina Faso in the opening group game on his side’s way to a 2-0 win. The Panthers captain 6/5 to net again anytime, and 9/2 to get the first goal.

Attack partner Malick Evouna was also on target, and he is 5/4 in the anytime market.

For the Red Devils, back former West Bromwich Albion forward loanee Thievy Bifouma, who scored against Equatorial Guinea, to net again at 9/4.