Gabon will hope to start the 2015 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) on a winning note when they face tricky Burkina Faso on Saturday at the Estadio de Bata stadium.
Gabon coach Jorge Costa said earlier this week that their target is to kick start the event in Equatorial Guinea on a winning note.
“We know Burkina Faso is a tough team, but we are well prepared and ready to take them on,” said Costa.
During the 2012 Afcon event Gabon - who managed to reach the quarterfinal stage - won all their Group games beating Morocco, Tunisia and Niger.
Star player and forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who features for Germany Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, is expected to lead the Gabon side together with Cardiff City player Bruno Ecuele Manga.
But Paul Put’s Burkina Faso team, that has qualified for the last three Africa Nations Cup finals, should not be taken lightly as they have what it takes to deny Gabon maximum points.
The Burkina Faso side beat Ghana 3-2 on penalties in the semifinals of the 2013 edition held in South Africa before losing to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the final game.
To their advantage is that Put has been their coach for a few years now, creating a culture of stability and consistency. Moreover, he has put faith in the same squad of players which features many from the 2013 edition.
Jonathan Pitroipa is the side’s star turn and will be among the goals again this campaign. But he is ably supported by the giant striker Aristide Bance, a surprise element in their squad, as well as the classy Alain Traore.
Besides the three attacking stars, Burkina Faso will also look to the strength and consistency of players such as Charles Kabore and Bakary Kone who are also expected to play a key role for the team that is ranked two places below Gabon in the Fifa rankings at 64.
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