By DEWAH Fabrice TEH
Sports writer, Kick442.com-Cameroon
Cameroon’s opponent in opening game of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, Burkina Faso have defeated Gabon in an international friendly.
The Stallions overpowered the Central Africans 3 nil in a game staged at the Seven Stadium in Dubai in the United Arabes Emirates on Sunday January 2, 2022.
France based defensive youngster Issa Kabore of Troyes opened the scoring for Burkina Faso at the 30th minute after benefitting from Edmond Tapsoba’s cross to tap in and give the West Africans the advantage at half time.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations runners up increased tally five minutes after the first half break with a 50th minute finish from attacking midfielder, Gustavo Sangare who spanked in Cyrille Bayala’s beautiful cross.
The Burkinabes managed by Coach Kamou Malo took the game beyond the reach of Captain Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and mates at the 60th minute.
“It was a preparation match, we saw the shortcomings, now we have to be mentally strong. i am going to make choices very quickly to put the team back in line.”
“the objective was to make a review of the workforce and also to see the state of form of the players,” Patrice Niveu of Gabon told the media after the game.
The Stallions operating in a 4-3-3 system, once more made use of their well-cordinated prowess as defender, Issa Kabore set up forward Dango Ouattara who netted to put final scores at 3 nil for the West Africans with Dango sparking excitement as potential replacement for injured Stallions forward, Lassina Traore during the forthcoming tournament.
Sunday’s match came as Burkina Faso’s last test game ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
The team played a goalless draw with fellow 2021 AFCON bound nation, Mauritania this week in Abu Dhabi.
Burkina Faso which failed to successfully negotiate for a third friendly against Ivory Coast, will be travelling to Cameroon in the days with the technical bench expecting a near complete squad.
The team’s England based Captain, Bertrand Traore of Aston Villa played 80 minutes against Brentford in the English Premier League on Sunday January 2 and will be expected to join the rest of Burkina Faso AFCON team in the hours ahead.
Burkina Faso will compete in Group A of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Cameroon, Ethiopia and Cape Verde Islands.
The 2013 runners up will face host Cameroon in the opener on January 9 at the Yaounde Olembe Stadium.
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