AFCON 2025 Match Preview: Algeria vs Burkina Faso
After successful openings to their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations journeys, Algeria and Burkina Faso face off Sunday evening at Stade Prince Moulay Hassan, both aiming to maintain their momentum.
While a win would essentially guaranteed a spot in the knockout rounds for either side, their recent history suggests a stalemate; the last three matchups between these teams ended in draws, pointing toward another closely contested battle.
Algeria
Algeria made a powerful statement in their AFCON opener, comfortably defeating Sudan 3-0 to climb to the top of the group standings on goal difference.
Algeria’s clinical performance was led by Riyad Mahrez, who opened the scoring early and doubled the lead in the second half. A final goal from Ibrahim Maza confirmed a comfortable victory for the side managed by Vladimir Petkovic. Having failed to make it past the group stages in the last two tournaments, the former champions are now focused on moving past those previous failures.
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso are well-known rivals for Algeria, especially after their 2-2 thriller during the 2023 AFCON group stages. In a mirror of their upcoming schedule, that match was also their second game of the tournament and saw Algeria rescue a point with a very late stoppage-time goal.
Despite playing with a man advantage after Equatorial Guinea saw a red card in the 50th minute, Burkina Faso seemed headed for a disappointing result. Their situation grew even more dire when they conceded a late goal, nearly wasting an entire match of dominance.
The tides turned dramatically in stoppage time, however. Substitute Georgi Minoungou found an equalizer in the 95th minute, followed by a 98th-minute winner from Edmond Tapsoba to complete a sensational comeback and secure three vital points.
Head-to-Head
When these two nations face off this Sunday, it will be their fourth encounter in AFCON history. Their track record is perfectly balanced: Algeria (the Desert Warriors) won the first meeting in 1996, Burkina Faso (the Stallions) leveled the score with a victory in 1998, and their most recent matchup resulted in a draw.
Form Guide
Algeria: D-W-W-D-W
Burkina Faso: W-W-W-W-W
Injury Update
Despite battling fitness issues for most of the season, Rayan Ait-Nouri successfully completed over 60 minutes of play against Sudan and is expected to keep his spot in the lineup.
Similarly, Burkina Faso enters the match with a full-strength squad. With no injuries or suspensions to worry about, the manager may choose to field the same starting eleven that secured the victory against Equatorial Guinea.
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Key Players
Mahrez is closing in on Aissa Mandi’s all-time appearance record and remains the focal point of the offense.
While Traore typically sticks with the lineup that sparked their strong tournament start, Minoungou’s impressive substitute performance has put him in contention for a place in the starting eleven.
Predicted Lineup
Algeria Starting XI: Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait-Nouri; Boudaoui, Bennacer; Mahrez, Chaibi, Amoura; Bounedjah
Burkina Faso Starting XI: Koffi; Yago, Dayo, Tapsoba, Kouassi; Sangare, Quedraogo, Toure; B.Traore, Minoungou, Ouattara
Verdict: Both teams enter this matchup in peak condition: Algeria boasts an 11-game unbeaten streak with eight victories, while Burkina Faso has remained undefeated in their last seven, claiming six wins. Despite this strong form, their recent history suggests a deadlock, as the last three encounters between these sides ended in draws. Algeria 1-1 Burkina Faso
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