Burkina Faso face Benin in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying before Argentina friendlies

Burkina Faso and Benin begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaigns on Friday, meeting at the Stade du 4 aout in Ouagadougou before high-profile friendlies against Argentina in October.

The match is also a test of focus for coaches Amir Abdou and Gernot Rohr, with Burkina Faso scheduled to face Argentina on 3 October and Benin on 6 October. The latter match is expected to mark Lionel Messi’s international retirement.

Both sides are in Group F, alongside Central African Republic and Mauritania. Burkina Faso will meet Central African Republic next, while Benin face Mauritania on 29 September.

Burkina Faso were the first team to qualify on the pitch for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, but finished that qualifying campaign with two defeats and were overtaken by Senegal. The Etalons also recorded six wins from 10 matches in their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, finishing five points behind Egypt.

In their eight nominal home matches during that period, Burkina Faso won four, drew three – including against Egypt – and lost to Senegal. Some fixtures were moved to Mali and Cote d’Ivoire, while the strength of their opponents also affected the overall record.

At the Africa Cup of Nations, Burkina Faso beat Equatorial Guinea and Sudan but lost to Algeria before reaching the last 16. They were beaten 3-0 by Cote d’Ivoire, leading to Brama Traore’s dismissal and Abdou’s appointment.

The Franco-Comorian coach has overseen one win, two draws and one defeat in his first four matches. Burkina Faso beat Guinea-Bissau, drew with Guinea-Bissau and Belarus, and lost to Russia.

Benin also reached the Africa Cup of Nations last 16 as one of the best third-placed teams, beating Botswana but losing to Senegal and DR Congo. They pushed Egypt before losing 3-1 after extra time.

Rohr’s side then beat Liberia and Guinea 1-0 in March friendlies, but June brought a 1-1 draw with Niger and a 5-1 defeat by Togo with a changed squad. Benin have struggled away from home, winning once, drawing three and losing four of their past eight qualifying away matches.

The head-to-head record strongly favours Burkina Faso, who have won 10 of 18 meetings, including a 3-0 victory in Morocco last November. Benin have won three, with five draws.

Burkina Faso’s official-match form is DVDVVV, and their overall form is NDNVDV. Benin’s corresponding records are DDVDDV and DNVVDD.

Abdou has again left out Bertrand Traore, who recently joined Wolverhampton and is still regaining match fitness, as well as Cyriaque Irie of Fribourg and Mohamed Konate. Five players have been called up for the first time: Chec Bebel Doumbia, Aboubacar Camara, Ismael Maiga, Rachid Kouda and Axel Taonsa.

Herve Koffi, Edmond Tapsoba, Dango Ouattara and Lassina Traore are expected to provide experience. Burkina Faso’s predicted line-up is: Herve Koffi; Issa Kabore, Edmond Tapsoba, Nasser Djiga, Arsene Kouassi; Ismahila Ouedraogo, Julien Bationo, Lohann Doucet; Dango Ouattara, Lassina Traore, Ousseni Bouda.

Benin are without Steve Mounie through injury and suspended defender Olivier Verdon. Joseph Ede Oloko, an attacker from Latvia, receives his first call-up, while Junior Olaitan arrives in good form after registering six assists in 12 matches for Besiktas this season.

Benin’s predicted line-up is: Marcel Dandjinou; Tamimou Ouorou, Yohan Roche, Mohamed Tijani, Rachid Moumini; Samadou Attidjikou, Hassane Imourane, Jodel Dossou; Junior Olaitan, Aiyegun Tosin, Rodolfo Aloko.