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Mali is set to face Burkina Faso in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, aiming to improve on their past performances.
The Eagles, topping Group E, have shown adaptability and strong defense, frustrating opponents in their AFCON campaign, with only one goal conceded against South Africa.
Mali’s journey includes a 2-0 win over South Africa, a 1-1 draw against Tunisia, and a goalless match with Namibia, securing five points and a spot in the round of 16.
Throughout the tournament, Mali hasn’t trailed, and they seek to maintain this record against Burkina Faso, a team they historically dominate with seven wins and one draw in eight encounters.
Despite the historical advantage, Mali remains cautious, having struggled to progress beyond the round of 16 in the last four AFCON editions.
Burkina Faso, considered dark horses, have reached the semi-finals or final in three of the past five editions and aim to replicate that success.
After a dream run to the 2013 final, Burkina Faso faced challenges in subsequent editions, but their experience in reaching advanced stages could be crucial in Tuesday’s match.
Hubert Velud’s team had a narrow 1-0 win over Mauritania, a 2-2 draw with Algeria, and a 2-0 loss to Angola in the group stage, securing a spot in the next round as runners-up with four points.
While Burkina Faso’s performances have raised concerns, their tournament experience adds a layer of unpredictability, potentially influencing the outcome against Mali.
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