African WC Qualification: Cote D’Ivoire and Burkina Faso Step Closer to Brazil

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: October 13, 2013

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The first day of Africa’s World Cup Qualifying play-offs provided nine goals, high drama and two excellent, intense encounters.

In Ouagadougou, in the earlier of the two fixtures, Burkina Faso beat Algeria 3-2 in a pulsating contest, while during the later kick-off, Cote d’Ivoire look to have one foot in the door after besting Senegal 3-1 in Abidjan.

This article looks back at those two fixtures and reports on the current state of affairs between the four featured nations.

 



Burkina Faso 3, Algeria 2

With continental giants Ghana and Egypt drawing each other in this, the play-off round, two of the weaker sides in the draw were fortunate enough to escape a meeting with one of Africa’s truly menacing nations.

Ostensibly, both Burkina Faso and Algeria will have been delighted to have been drawn with one another.

As this contest demonstrated, both sides have their strengths, but each have their weaknesses as well, particularly in defence.

Burkina Faso, with the attacking triumvirate of Aristide Bance, Jonathan Pitroipa and Prejuce Nakoulma sparkling, reminded the watching world of the verve and vitality they brought to the Africa Cup of Nations earlier in the year. They were, again, direct and courageous in attack, while the likes of Florent Rouamba, Djakaridja Kone and Charles Kabore provided the stability and, to a point, the solidity further back.



While the Stallions were the great overachievers of the AFCON, Algeria were the tournament’s underachievers. They were eliminated swiftly after some dire group stage performances.

Their weaknesses were again evident against the Burkinabe.

Pitroipa was brought down in the box after some reckless defending by the hapless Essaid Belkalem. The Watford man was relieved to see Aristide "Chip Head" Bance’s penalty effort saved, but his ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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