Burkina Faso favourites to beat Benin in 2027 AFCON qualifying opener

Burkina Faso begin their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign against Benin at the Stade du 4-Aout in Ouagadougou on Friday, 25 September 2026, with kick-off at 19:00 GMT. Mahamad Sangare, presenter of the sports debate programme La VAR on Burkina info TV, has backed the hosts to win Group F’s opening fixture, with victory priced at 1.49.

Burkina Faso’s 2026 form has been mixed. The Etalons lost 3-0 to Cote d’Ivoire in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals but responded by beating Guinea-Bissau 5-0 in March. The return fixture ended 1-1, while June brought a 2-2 draw with Belarus. Already out of contention for the 2026 World Cup, Burkina Faso can now focus fully on securing qualification for the 2027 tournament.

Benin also suffered elimination at the Africa Cup of Nations, losing 3-1 after extra time to Egypt in the last 16. The Guepards then defeated Liberia and Guinea 1-0 in successive friendlies, before drawing 1-1 with Niger and losing 5-1 to Togo in June. Like Burkina Faso, they are no longer in the running for the 2026 World Cup.

Team news and key players

Burkina Faso manager Amir Abdou has selected a 24-player squad, retaining several experienced players while introducing new faces. Edmond Tapsoba and Nasser Djiga are expected to be important in defence, with Issa Kabore offering experience and attacking threat from the right.

Dango Ouattara is one of the hosts’ main attacking outlets, while Lassina Traore, Abdoul Fessal Tapsoba and Ousseni Bouda may be asked to provide creativity in the absence of captain Bertrand Traore. The captain’s absence removes experience, ball retention and technical quality from the final third. Ouattara has also recorded two assists in two Carabao Cup matches with Brentford.

For Benin, Sessi D’Almeida’s work in midfield will be important, while Matteo Ahlinvi returns after missing the previous squad. Junior Olaitan and Imourane Hassan are further midfield options for Gernot Rohr. Jodel Dossou and Aiyegun Tosin provide pace in attack.

Joseph Ede Olokos is a new face after scoring 26 goals and supplying six assists in 30 matches in all competitions this season for Liepaja. Yohan Roche, Mohamed Tijani and returning right-back Rachid Moumini are among the defensive options.

However, Benin will be without captain Steve Mounie, who is recovering from injury, and Olivier Verdon, who is suspended. Their absences deprive Rohr of an experienced striker and a key defensive presence.

Head-to-head and betting

Burkina Faso won both meetings during the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, 2-0 and 2-1. They also beat Benin 3-0 in a friendly on 18 November 2025, enjoying 61% possession and winning six corners to Benin’s two. The teams have never met in an Africa Cup of Nations finals tournament, and this is their first qualifying meeting for 2027.

Other prices include both teams to score at 2.40, more than 0.5 Burkina Faso goals at 1.18 and over 8.5 corners at 1.546. The suggested bets are under 3.5 goals at 1.138, Dango Ouattara to score at 3.00, Burkina Faso to win at 1.49 and a 2-1 home victory at 7.5. Odds may change.