As Burkina Faso gears up for a crucial round of 16 encounter against Mali in the ongoing AFCON 2023, there is a palpable sense of concern surrounding the Stallions’ vulnerability in defending set pieces, a weakness that has proven costly in the earlier stages of the tournament.
In the lead-up to this highly anticipated fratricidal duel, the spotlight is on Burkina Faso’s defensive struggles when dealing with set-piece situations.
The statistical evidence is stark – a staggering 75% of the goals conceded during the group stage, precisely three out of the four goals conceded by the Stallions, originated from set pieces.
The Achilles’ heel of Burkina Faso’s defense became glaringly evident in their clash against Algeria, where the Étalons succumbed to both goals from a free-kick and a corner.
The first goal witnessed the Burkinabè defense adopting a passive stance, allowing Bounedjah to exploit the opportunity and score.
In the dying moments of the same match, a lapse in the aerial duel saw them beaten by the Algerian striker’s header, highlighting a failure to rectify defensive frailties.
Regrettably, the Stallions replicated the same defensive lapses in their subsequent match against Angola, conceding a goal through a shot from Mabululu, reinforcing the susceptibility of Burkina Faso’s defense during set pieces.
As the Stallions prepare to face the Eagles of Mali, it becomes imperative for Burkina Faso to address this critical vulnerability.
Set pieces, often described as the guilty pleasure of their opponents, pose a genuine threat that could prove fatal if not rectified promptly.
The outcome of the round of 16 clash hinges, in part, on Burkina Faso’s ability to shore up their defense and thwart the dangers posed by set pieces orchestrated by the Eagles of Mali.
