Stallions warming up for AFCON at Mbombela
Runners-up from 2013 Burkina Faso return to their host city.
Following their success at the previous CAF African Cup of Nations tournament, Burkina Faso have returned to Mbombela. In 2013 the giant slayers made it to the final, which Nigeria had won. After this unexpected achievement they opted to also prepare for this year’s tournament in the city which had hosted them previously.
Next week the Stallions will play two international friendly matches as warm-ups for AFCON 2015 which kicks off in Equatorial Guinea on January 17. On Saturday they take on Swaziland and on Tuesday they face Botswana. Both games will take place at Mbombela Stadium.
The side boast players from renowned clubs such as Lyon and Toulouse in France (Bakary Koné and Steve Yago), Al-Ahly in Egypt (Moussa Yedan), star Aristide Bancé (playing for HJK Helsinki in Finland) as well as brothers Alain and Bertrand Traore. The latter is contracted to English club Chelsea.
The team are still being coached by Paul Put who was in charge during their superb run two years ago. During the tournament where they have been drawn in Group A, Burkina Faso will face the hosts Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Congo. But first they are to vow to Mbombela once again.
Kick-off is at 17:00. Tickets cost R30 for adults and R10 for children and park-and-ride services are to be operational.
