The Sunday News
CONGO will look to secure a surprise progression into the quarterfinals of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations when they face Burkina Faso in their final Group A match at Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyin tonight.The Red Devils last appeared in the knockout rounds of the Afcon back in 1992, but they need only a draw from this match against the 2013 runners-up to secure a place in the last eight.
Coach Claude Le Roy’s team began with a 1-1 draw against hosts Equatorial Guinea and then stunned Gabon 1-0 on Wednesday evening, with Prince Oniangue scoring the decisive goal.
They currently top Group A with four points — Gabon are second on three points, the hosts in third on two points and Burkina Faso are fourth with just one point.
Le Roy has insisted that his team will go all out for three points despite needing just one to advance: “I am a coach that hates draws. I will never prepare my team to go for a draw. We are going to play for a win against Burkina Faso.”
As for the Stallions, they must win to have a chance of advancing. After a 2-0 loss to Gabon in their opening game, the Burkinabe improved to draw 0-0 with Equatorial Guinea but have yet to show the kind of form that took them to the final two years ago.
To have any hope of advancing, coach Paul Put’s team has to win and hope that the other Group A match between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon produces a favourable result.
“Our fate now would depend on the outcome of the match between Gabon and Congo. We no longer have our destiny in our hands in this competition. It’s so sad,” said Burkina Faso captain Charles Kabore.
Burkina Faso and Congo have met in seven official international matches and each side has claimed three wins in the sequence.
The teams met twice in the qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup — the first match in Ouagadougou ended 0-0, though it was later awarded 3-0 to Congo as the Burkinabe fielded an ineligible player, while the return match in Pointe-Noire saw the Stallions claim a 1-0 away win. — SuperSport
