AFCON 2023: Burkina Faso's good and bad points from the group stage

As Hubert Velud admitted, the Étalons of Burkina Faso still have room for improvement. But they got what they were after: second place in the group and a last-16 tie against Mali, on Tuesday 30 January in Korhogo (17:00 GMT). An excellent mindset The comparison has been made again and again, because it still holds. The Étalons of Burkina Faso keep moving forward and refuse to give in, just as in Cameroon at AFCON 2021 under Kamou Malo, during a laboured group stage marked by doubts and criticism. The one blemish on this group stage was the final quarter of an hour of the first half against Angola, after Mabululu's opening goal, when the Étalons looked rattled. They were on the verge of cracking, of losing the thread. A playing system still taking shape 4-2-3-1, 3-5-2 and finally 4-2-3-1. Hubert Velud, Burkina Faso's head coach, tinkered across the Étalons' three group games at AFCON 2023, proof that he is still looking for the best formula, particularly in midfield, despite a formidable efficiency and a dazzling Blati Touré in two of the three matches, as well as in defence, where he did not settle on a consistent selection. Read more on the same subject: AFCON 2023: the fixtures and results Hit by injuries and suspensions Burkina Faso knew they would have to be flat out from the group stage onwards. These three very intense matches inevitably took their toll. The Étalons also lost Adama Guira for the rest of the tournament. Guira suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon ligament in his left foot against Algeria. Against Angola, Burkina Faso were without Blati Touré and Mohamed Konaté, both suspended for an accumulation of cards. On the other hand, Burkina Faso got Dango Ouattara back against Angola. The right winger, who has been injured with Bournemouth, played every minute of the match. The leaders They embodied the fighting spirit: Hervé Koffi, Issoufou Dayo, Edmond Tapsoba, Blati Touré, Adama Guira, Mohamed Konaté, Bertrand Traoré, Issa Kaboré and Steeve Yago. They were the best Étalons of the group stage, with huge performances against Mauritania, Algeria and Angola. All of them are valuable, and if they maintain this level, the Étalons of Burkina Faso can go very, very far. A tough test after the group stage Burkina Faso now have five days to recover and then prepare for their last-16 tie against Mali, who topped Group E ahead of South Africa, Namibia and Tunisia. What follows, if there is a next round, will be demanding: in the quarter-finals, the Étalons would meet the winner of Côte d'Ivoire v Senegal. Ablam GNAMESSO