MATCH FACTS: Burkina Faso, Central African Republic meet in Group B at TotalEnergies CAF CHAN, PAMOJA 2024
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Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic will meet for the first time at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) when they face off in a Group B encounter on Wednesday.
This match marks Burkina Faso’s 11th game at CHAN, with the Central African Republic becoming the 10th different opponent they’ve faced.
CAR are the third Central African team Burkina Faso have played, following two previous encounters with Cameroon that ended 1-1 (2018) and 0-0 (2020), and a 2-0 loss to Congo in 2018.
This will also be Burkina Faso’s second game against a tournament debutant. Their previous clash with a first-time participant was a 1-1 draw with Morocco in 2014.
Burkina Faso – Key Facts:
Playing in their fourth CHAN finals; began the 2024 edition with a 2-0 loss to co-hosts Tanzania.
Have never won an opening CHAN game (3 losses, 1 draw).
A second loss would mark the first time they’ve lost their opening two games at a CHAN tournament.
Had 33% possession against Tanzania, completing 242 passes (Abdoul Abass Guiro led with 35).
Of three shots on target vs Tanzania, two were by Souleymane Sangare.
Goalkeeper Ladji Brahima Sanou faced 8 shots, making 6 saves.
Record in second group games: played 3, won 1, drew 1, lost 1.
Only CHAN win came in a second group match in 2020 (3-1 vs Zimbabwe).
Drew 1-1 with Morocco in 2014 and lost 2-0 to Congo in 2018 in their other second group games.
Central African Republic – Key Facts:
Making their CHAN debut; they are the 34th different team to qualify for the tournament.
Sixth team from Central Africa to participate in CHAN.
Outside of 2009 (when all teams debuted), only two debutants have won CHAN: DR Congo (2009) and Tunisia (2011).
CAR are one of two debutants at PAMOJA 2024, alongside co-hosts Kenya.
Qualified by defeating Cameroon: lost 1-0 at home, then won 2-1 away despite conceding first; advanced on away goals with the tie ending 2-2 on aggregate.
