Burkina Faso sweat over Dango Ouattara and Hervé Koffi ahead of CAR clash

Burkina Faso could be without Dango Ouattara and goalkeeper Hervé Koffi when they face the Central African Republic in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Monday.

The Stallions meet the Central African Republic in Casablanca at 16:00 GMT, looking to secure their first win after being held to a 1 1 draw by Benin in their opening Group F match.

Ouattara missed the game against Benin and remains a doubt for the second fixture, while Koffi has also emerged as an injury concern for coach Amir Abdou’s side.

The uncertainty surrounding the two players comes at a time when Burkina Faso are looking for a response after dropping points at home against Benin.

The Stallions were unable to take all three points from their opening match despite playing on home soil and will now be aiming for a stronger result in Casablanca.

Ouattara’s continued absence would leave another question for Abdou to resolve before the match, while the situation surrounding Koffi could also affect the team’s plans.

Burkina Faso will therefore head into the fixture with both players’ availability still uncertain as they seek to improve their position in Group F.

Their opponents are also searching for a response after a difficult opening day.

The Central African Republic lost their first qualifier against Mauritania and will be hoping to collect their first points of the campaign when they meet Burkina Faso.

With both teams yet to win, Monday’s match offers an opportunity for either side to make an early move in the group.

The two nations have met several times in the past, with Burkina Faso having recorded a number of victories in previous meetings.

In October 2012, the Stallions won 3 1 at home after losing 1 0 in Bangui a few weeks earlier.

Burkina Faso also enjoyed two victories against the Central African Republic in the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

They won 3 0 in Bangui before securing a 2 1 victory at home.

The latest meeting will take place with both teams needing to improve on their opening results.

Burkina Faso’s draw against Benin left them with one point, while the Central African Republic started their campaign with a defeat against Mauritania.

The Stallions will be seeking their first three points, while the Wild Beasts will have the same target as they attempt to recover from their opening loss.

The match in Casablanca is therefore an important second opportunity for both sides as they look to establish themselves in the race for qualification.

Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic will meet on Monday at 16:00 GMT, with both teams aiming to claim their first victory in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.