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As AFCON 2023 approaches, all the talk is about the usual football powerhouses — Senegal, Nigeria, Egypt. However, Burkina Faso have quietly been gaining a reputation in African football and could be a surprise contender for the title.  

In this piece, we look at why The Stallions should be considered dark horses in the upcoming AFCON, as well as provide you with the best betting offers and professional betting tips along the way. 

 
 
**Burkina Faso - AFCON History** 

Burkina Faso, as a footballing nation, has made great strides in Africa over the past decade. After making their AFCON debut in 1978, and crashing out in the group stage, it took The Stallons 18 years to make another appearance, once again crashing out in the group stage in 1996.  

They fared much better two years later, reaching the semi-finals on home soil under legendary coach Philippe Troussier. 

Things slowed down from there and it took another 15 years for them to make a meaningful impact in the competition, this time going as far as the final in 2013, where they lost 1-0 to the Super Eagles of Nigeria.  

They followed that up with two semifinal appearances at the 2017 and 2021 tournaments, finishing third and fourth respectively. 

These successes at the time, reflected a growing football culture and enhanced infrastructure in the country.  

 

**The Squad** 

Coach Hubert Velud has released  a strong 27-man squad for the upcoming tournament in Cote d’Ivoire. The Stallions’ squad presents an interesting mix of seasoned players and promising talents, featuring four goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders, and eight attackers. Familiar names like goalkeeper Hervé Koffi, central defender Edmond Tapsoba, and right-back Issa Kaboré stand out in the lineup. 

Intriguingly, national team captain Bertrand Traoré, secured his place in the squad despite a lack of appearances for his club side Aston Villa, a clear testament to Velud’s unwavering faith in his abilities.  

Unfortunately, injuries have sidelined center forward Lassina Traoré and right-winger Cyrille Bayala for this edition of AFCON. 

**Possible XI - (4-3-3) Hervé Koffi, Steeve Yago - Edmond Tapsoba - Nasser Djiga - Valentin Nouma, Cyrille Bayala - Adama Guira - Blati Touré, Bertrand Traoré - Abdoul Tapsoba - Dango Ouattara** 

In goal, the experienced Hervé Koffi earned his 50th cap during the recent World Cup qualifier against Guinea Bissau, solidifying his position as the undisputed #1 choice for Burkina Faso.  

Leading the defense is the seasoned Steeve Yago, currently the most-capped defender for The Stallions. He will be joined by Bayer Leverkusen’s rising star, Edmond Tapsoba, while Nasser Djiga and Valentin Nouma are expected to take on the full-back roles. In midfield, the trio of Cyrille Bayala, Adama Guira, and Blati Touré continue to be a consistent force for Velud’s men and will likely start every game. In attack, Aston Villa winger Bertrand Traoré will be relied upon to provide the goods, alongside Abdoul Tapsoba and Bournemouth’s Dango Ouattara, who has scored 6 goals in 14 caps. 

 

**Group Stage Analysis** 

Drawn in Group D, Burkina Faso will take on Algeria, Angola, and Mauritania. Although Algeria stands out as the formidable force in this group, Burkina Faso are positioned as the main contender and might even defy expectations by clinching top spot. Failure to progress beyond the group stage would undoubtedly be disheartening for the Stallions, and their fans will expect them to secure at least six points, particularly against a weak Mauritania side and Angola. 

BetKing, Nigeria’s best online sports betting site, has the best odds for The Stallions to top Group D at AFCON. 

● Bet on Burkina Faso to finish top of Group D 

**Form Analysis** 

Burkina Faso performed brilliantly in the AFCON qualifiers, looking better with each passing game, and eventually finishing top of Group B.  

They started strong with a 2-0 win over Cape Verde and followed it up with a 3-1 victory against Eswatini. Their winning streak continued with a 1-0 triumph over Togo, securing a perfect 3 wins out of 3 games to start the qualifiers. In the final three games, they drew with Togo and Eswatini and then lost to Cape Verde. 

Coming into AFCON, Velud’s men have lost a miserly 2 of their last 13 games, with just one of those defeats coming in their last 7 encounters. They are riding a three-game winning streak and have a watertight defence that has let in just 5 goals in their last 9 games. 

They play a fast-paced game, with a focus on spreading the ball wide to allow speedsters like Ouattara and Traore capitalize. That tactic was used to devastating effect in their last game against Ethiopia, where both stars scored in 3-0 win.  

Want high odds? Bet on Burkina Faso to win AFCON 2023 

● Bet on Burkina Faso to win AFCON 2023  

**Conclusion** 

Burkina Faso are by no means favourites to win AFCON 2023, but they were never favourites to reach the final in 2013 or make the semi-finals at the last edition. They have consistently shown a willingness to defy the odds and have an uncanny habit of exceeding expectations. 

With a history of strong performances, a balanced squad comprising a mix of experience and talent, and a reputation for togetherness, they are formidable contenders. While Algeria certainly poses a challenge in the group stage, we believe Burkina Faso can key into untapped potential to make a significant impact in the tournament. 

Their history, defensive solidity, and cohesive style of play make them a team to watch, capable of surprising and leaving a lasting impression at AFCON. 

Take advantage of BetKing’s best betting tips by backing Burkina Faso to shock Africa and go all the way. 

● Bet on Burkina Faso to win AFCON outright 

**With AFCON 2023 starting this month, you can bet on your favourite teams and enjoy the best odds.** 

**All you need to do is [sign up on Betking](https://m.betking.com/account/registration?redirect=/sports/events/outright/football/africa-cup-of-nations/2023-afcon) to get started.** 

We know who the favorites to win AFCON 2024 are. But who are the dark horses that can shock the world? Read to find out why Burkina Faso is so dangerous.

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AFCON 2023 Preview: Burkina Faso - The Dark Horse Ready To Shock Africa

● Bet on Burkina Faso to finish top of Group D

● Bet on Burkina Faso to win AFCON 2023

● Bet on Burkina Faso to win AFCON outright