Neby Keita is a doubt for Sunday’s game. (PHOTO/Agency)
AFCON 2019
Burundi vs Guinea
Al Salaam Stadium, Cairo
Sunday, 30-06-2019 @7pm
Burundi will take on Guinea in their last group game of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, at the Al Salaam Stadium in Cairo on Sunday.
Both sides are in the brink of elimination after failing to win either of their first two games at this year’s competition in Egypt.
Both sides require victory on Sunday and not even a draw can save either of them.
The Swallows who are appearing at their maiden finals sit bottom of Group B having lost 0-1 to both Madagascar and Nigeria.
After losing their first game against Nigeria 1-0, Burundi were again defeated by Madagascar in similar fashion, defending well with no pressure exerted at the other end and eventually conceding late and in the process losing once again.
Victory against Guinea looks unlikely at this stage having failed to find the back of the net in either of their opening two contests.
Captain and star-player Saido Berahino is currently struggling for form up front and Burundi look like falling short even if they opt to pull him out of the firing line.
For Guinea, they were narrowly defeated by Nigeria in the second game, to leave their hopes of progression to the knockout stages of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations hanging by a thread.
They enter into Sunday’s game needing to beat Burundi and pray they are one of the four best third placed teams after the group stages are completed.
In a tight game that was evenly-matched, Nigeria eventually broke the deadlock with just 17 minutes remaining to condemn the Guineans to defeat and leave them with just one point from their two games so far.
Star-player, Naby Keita was forced off against Nigeria and could be a doubt for this game after he was on the end of some heavy challenges on his first start since the beginning of May following a groin injury.
Keita and his peers will be tasked with trying to replicate the form that saw them score twice against Madagascar but will be tasked to keep it tight at the back so as they avoid conceding as much as they did on group opening day.
This will be the first time these two sides ever meet and with too much, including pride at stake, it promises to be a contest for the ages.
The other group B game between leaders Nigeria and second placed Madagascar will be played on the same day and time.
Other games to be played on Sunday
-Uganda vs Egypt @11pm
-Zimbabwe vs DR Congo @11pm
Saturday’s results
-Mauritania 0-0 Angola
-Cameroon 0-0 Ghana
-Benin 0-0 Guinea-Bissau
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