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Key occasions
28 minutes: Zuniga will get a superb clattering, inflicting him to yell in ache.
One other EQ cross goes into the field and is definitely claimed by goalkeeper Koffi, who’s but to be examined.
26 minutes: Clumsy defending from Coco, leads to needlessly freely giving a nook. It’s chipped to the again put up however finally ends up going over everybody’s head.
24 minutes: Ndong is cleared out within the field by Ouattara, however the referee takes a wee whereas to provide he foul.
22 minutes: BF get in and across the field however each shot they take is blocked, forcing them out and vast.
20 minutes: EQ get into a superb place however Asue whacks his shot nicely over from 25 yards.
18 minutes: A number of moments of sloppy play break up the rhythm.
16 minutes: Daniel Amokachi on co-comms is what all of us wished for Christmas.
14 minutes: The referee has a phrase with Kabore relating to a 50:50 with Orozco, who has made meal of it.
12 minutes: The nook is performed brief however EQ fail to beat the primary man.
Traore volleys a cross alongside the six-yard line however the goalkeeper gathers after a deflection. The BF skipper claims there’s a handball concerned but it surely clearly hits the defender’s chest.
10 minutes: EQ may be keen to only preserve this sport goalless for so long as potential. They aren’t getting on the ball a lot. Saying that, Ndong flies down the left and places a cross into the field, which is headed behind.
8 minutes: A wise go past the EQ defence reaches Outtara. The Brentford man seems to be to pick Kabore for a faucet in however Coco does nicely to steer the ball behind.
The ensuing nook reaches Dayo on the again put up however Ndong clears the header off the road.
6 minutes: A reckless and late problem from Ndong takes out Yago. He catches him on the shin however the referee thinks a free-kick is punishment sufficient.
4 minutes: Bertrand Traore presents a menace on the sting of the field however pulls his shot vast after beating a few defenders. Burkina Faso wanting the livelier early on.
2 minutes: Outtara is known as up for a foul when making an attempt to glide previous somebody.
The rain appears to have slowed the taking part in floor down a bit, leaving gamers to attend for the ball to reach.
Kick off
Peep! Peep! Peep! Right here we go!
It seems to be a contact damp in Casablanca however is brightening up barely. Rain has actually been a difficulty within the opening few video games. The group, like in Mali v Zambia, may be very sparse.
Will Mohamed Salah nonetheless be a Liverpool participant by the point Afcon concludes? John Duerden seems to be on the prospect of the Egyptian ahead transferring to Saudi.
Burkina Faso head coach Brama Traoré: “We’re in Morocco to dwell as much as our nation’s repute, and since our arrival we have now centered on addressing the areas the place we had shortcomings. We all know that each group goals to win its first match within the event, and that may be a respectable goal for us as nicely.
“We’re right here to defend our nationwide flag, and we consider that is the perfect event, with all situations nicely offered. In any case, we’re aiming to attain one thing on this competitors.
“The primary match is simply as essential because the others. We’re concentrating on a spot within the semi-finals and wish to give our best on this event.”
Right this moment’s match can be proven on 4Seven within the UK. The buildup will primarily encompass a festive episode of Frasier.
And in the event you want anymore scorching Afcon content material, I’ve executed my bit.
Ed Aarons on the announcement Afcon is altering to be each 4 years and the impression of the choice.
Meet up with yesterday’s motion at Afcon.
Beginning lineups
Burkina Faso (4-3-3): Koffi; Tapsoba, Yago, Dayo, Kouassi; Quedraogo, Sangare, Toure; L Kabore, Ouattara, B Traore
Subs: Ayinde, Aziz Ki, Badolo, Bouda, Djiga, I Kabore, Irie, Monoungou, Nikiema, F Quedraogo, Simpore, L Traore, Zougrana
Equatorial Guinea (4-1-4-1): Owono; Aka, Orozco, Coco, Ndong; Mascarell; Zuniga, Machin, Ganet; Asue; Salvador
Subs: Esono, Anieboh, Balboa, Buyla, Embela, Eneme, Masogo, Obiang, Miranda, C Ondo, Nsue, J Nabil Ondo, Sapunga, Senra
In case you have any recollections of watching soccer on Christmas Eve, do let me know. I can’t actually bear in mind any …
Preamble
Festive greetings to you and your family members. I can’t bear in mind many experiences of dwell soccer on Christmas Eve, so we higher embrace. It’s a last probability to keep away from our households for a few hours.
Burkina Faso start their Afcon marketing campaign with loads of hope. Over the previous 12 years they’ve completed second, third and fourth, and can be optimistic of going a great distance within the event. Sunderland’s Bertrand Traore is the skipper however there isn’t a scarcity of high quality within the squad. Dango Outtarra of Brentford is the opposite Premier League consultant, whereas right-back Issa Kabore, who wears the No 9 shirt, is one other skilled participant with over 50 caps regardless of solely being 24 years previous.
Who may overlook Equatorial Guinea skipper Emilio Nsue’s spells with Middlesbrough and Birmingham? He’s nonetheless going robust at 36 however is plying his commerce within the Spanish third tier. The nation has by no means certified for the World Cup and its greatest Afcon efficiency was in 2015 after they got here fourth. This 12 months progress to the knockout phases could be their greatest guess, and a superb begin at present would set them on their method.
Kick-off: 12.30pm GMT