Star studded Senegal to sweep aside Burkina Faso

In the past decade, both of these two nations have fell at the final hurdle in this competition. Losses in the final of 2013 for Burkina Faso and in 2019 for Senegal means that both these sides will be desperate to set the record straight. One of the fairy tale sides of the tournament, Burkina Faso, take on the much fancied Senegal in a battle to book their spot in the AFCON final and have a shot at conquering the continent for the very first time.

Burkina Faso against all odds

The Stallions have been one of the surprise packages for the tournament so far. Their road to the semi-final stage hasn't been easy, and is certainly not getting any easier now they've reached the final four.

Group Stage:

Cameroon 2-1 Burkina Faso (09.01.22)

Cape Verde 0-1 Burkina Faso (13.01.22)

Burkina Faso 1-1 Ethiopia (17.01.22)

Round of 16:

Burkina Faso 1-1 Gabon (7-6 Burkina Faso win on penalties) (23.01.22)

Quarter-final:

Burkina Faso 1-0 Tunisia (29.01.22)

None of Burkina Faso's games have been a convincing victory. With just two wins within 90 minutes to their name so far this tournament, their excellent game management has seen them through to this stage.

This was particularly the case against Tunisia last time out. A Dango Ouattara goal on the brink of half-time was followed up by a sending off for the Lorient youngster in a game he's unlikely to forget in a hurry.

Despite being a man down, Burkina Faso held on and knocked out a talented Tunisia outfit to see them through to this semi-final stage. Despite this being another game called for full-time prematurely, Burkina Faso deserved to go through on the balance of play.

Senegal looking to seal their final spot

The two-time AFCON finalists will be hoping to return to the tournament's finale once more as they take on Burkina Faso on Wednesday evening. Their group stage results didn't exactly set the world alight, but their knockout stage performances have been much improved.

Group Stage:

Senegal 1-0 Zimbabwe (10.01.22)

Senegal 0-0 Guinea (14.01.22)

Malawi 0-0 Senegal (18.01.22)

Round of 16:

Senegal 2-0 Cape Verde (25.01.22)

Quarter-final:

Senegal 3-1 Equatorial Guinea (30.01.22)

The run that Senegal have had to this point in the tournament, on paper, has been somewhat favourable. Scoring just the singular goal in the group stage showed some worrying signs, but since then they've bagged five times in two games.

Their 3-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea was a comfortable one, where Senegal were clinical with their chances. Goals from Famara Diedhiou, Checkhou Kouyate and Ismaila Sarr meant that Jannick Buyla's gal for Equatorial Guinea was of little significance come full time.

however, this was the first time that Edouard Mendy has been beaten, with Senegal keeping all clean sheets prior to this quarter final affair.

Some interesting trivia

- Burkina Faso have been eliminated in two of their previous three semi-finals at AFCON

- Senegal could reach their third final of AFCON. No nation has reached this many finals without winning the tournament.

- Senegal have won in five of their last six AFCON knockout matches.

The Verdict

Burkina Faso have put up an impressive amount of fight in this tournament, but this is where their road in the tournament ends. Sadio Mane and co will be looking to reach yet another final, and this time maybe even go one better.

That's why I'm going with Senegal to win with bet365.

Bet Senegal to win on Bet365