Algeria have 'identified weakness' ahead of Burkina Faso clash

Algeria head coach Djamel Belmadi insists that lessons have been learnt from their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations opener as they prepare to take on Burkina Faso at the Stade de la Paix on Saturday, 20January 20.

Kick-off is at 4pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM:

The Fennec Foxes kicked off their campaign in Ivory Coast with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Angola on 15 January, having taken an 18th-minute lead through Baghdad Bounedjah but were pegged back by Mabululu's penalty on 68 minutes.

The stalemate brought an end to a three-match winning streak for Belmadi's side, who remain unbeaten in their last 12 games since losing 2-0 to Sweden in a friendly on 19 November 2022.

The Stallions made a winning start to the tournament after edging Mauritania 1-0 on 16 January courtesy of a last-gasp penalty from Bertrand Traore in the 96th minute.

Hubert Velud's side have now won three of their last five matches, with their only setback coming in a 2-1 defeat to Iran on 5 January as a warm-up for the continental showpiece.

TEAM NEWS:

Neither team reported any injuries from their opening matches, although Bertrand Traore will be pushing for a recall to the starting line-up for Burkina Faso after stepping off the bench to score the dramatic winner against the Lions of Chinguetti. Dango Ouattara will also be hoping to feature after being left out of the squad for their Group D opener.

WHAT WAS SAID:

Algeria head coach Djamel Belmadi

"This is not the result we expected. We were expecting to have three points. We tried our best and didn't want to lose the game so we did what we could to get a point which was necessary.

"We were supposed to do better in the second half but we can also talk about the moments we did well. We have identified our weakness as we didn't defend very well for us to concede the penalty which was a big mistake.

"We are in a transitional period, so we try for this team to work together and we have also learnt lessons from this game for our remaining games."

Burkina Faso head coach Hubert Velud

"We won the game in a more difficult situation, it is even more difficult looking at where the game traveled to. We expected such a tough game from Mauritania so we were not surprised because first Afcon games are very balanced.

"First half was a little balanced, we didn't create enough chances, our opponent took advantage of our deficiencies. Second half, Mauritania plunged physically, we were much more dangerous than them, we also had more impact with the changes."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Baghdad Bounedjah took his goal against the Black Sable antelopes well, finishing with the outside of his boot from 14 yards out after latching onto an exquisite ball over the top from Youcef Belaili. The Al-Sadd striker found the back of the net again on 25 minutes with a spectacular overhead-kick, but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

Bertrand Traore made a telling impact off the bench against Mauritania, playing Issa Kabore through on goal with a delightful pass which led to the penalty that was coolly converted by the Aston Villa winger at the death. He could start against Algeria after Mamady Bangre and Mohamed Konate offered very little in attack last time out.

HEAD-TO-HEAD:

Matches - 9

Algeria wins - 3

Burkina Faso wins - 3

Draws - 3