LIVE: AFCON 2021 Third-place playoff, Cameroon v Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso’s third semi-final across their last four Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) appearances may have ultimately ended in defeat in rather spectacular fashion (3-1 vs Senegal) but there’s still plenty to be proud of.

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That game was their first at this tournament which was settled by more than a single-goal margin, though this clash could be tighter as one of their two prior third-place playoff games ended level at 90 minutes while the other was won 1-0.

This is a repeat of the ‘Stallions’ opening game as they met host nation Cameroon in the group.

They were quick out of the gates, hitting the match opener before half-time, as they did in five of their six AFCON fixtures, before eventually losing 2-1.

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Reclaiming the bronze medal for the second time in their last two AFCON tournaments would be ideal revenge for Burkina Faso.

Although Cameroon stretched to a 10th game without being bested within 90 minutes last time out, their dreams of AFCON glory on home soil ended as two substitutes missed their respective penalties in the eventual shootout following a goalless 120 minutes with Egypt.

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Despite the loss, that was remarkably their ninth straight AFCON semi-final without conceding during normal play since they lost 1-0 in 1972!

Cameroon can take confidence from the fact that they finished third in the last AFCON tournament they hosted via a 5-2 victory.

Overall, they’ve played in only two third-place playoff games in this tournament’s history (W1, L1), though both outings witnessed both teams score and at least three total match goals.

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AFCON THIRD-PLACE PLAYOFF: CAMEROON V BURKINA FASO

Players to watch

Different players have scored each of Burkina Faso’s six AFCON goals, but Ibrahim Blati Touré was involved with their last two (1 goal, 1 assist). Either of Cameroon’s Vincent Aboubakar (6 goals) or Karl Toko Ekambi (5 goals) could end up as the tournament top scorer, so expect some healthy competition for the honours.

Hot stat

Five of the last six AFCON third-place playoff games saw only one or neither side score and under 2.5 total goals.

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