LIVE: Burkina Faso v Egypt | Africa Cup of Nations 2017 | GABON
AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS – SEMI-FINAL
Date: WED, 01 FEB 2017
Time: 21:00 Cairo Local Time
Venue: Stade d’Angondjé
Burkina Faso and Egypt go head-to-head with unbeaten records and a place in the Africa Cup of Nations final at stake.
Neither team have tasted defeat in Gabon – and seven-time champions Egypt have yet to concede goal.
The Pharaohs, who eliminated Morocco 1-0 Sunday in the quarterfinals, have rested one day less than the Stallions, who ousted Tunisia 2-0.
The record-holders — with seven Cup of Nations trophies — kept their sheet clean after four games, drawing with Mali in the opener before successive 1-0 wins against Uganda, Ghana and Morocco.
Egypt have been dealt another injury blow, with forward Ahmed ‘Kouka’ Hassan set to miss Wednesday’s semifinal of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations against Burkina Faso, the team’s doctor confirmed.
“Kouka has an infection in his pelvic bone after Tuesday evening’s trainings and will miss the game,” team doctor Mohamed Abou El-Ela told reporters in Gabon.
The 23-year-old Rio Ave star has made two appearances in the Gabon tournaments subbing in for Marawan Mohsen, in the opener against Mali and in the quarterfinal against Morocco.
Kouka’s injury will limit options for Argentinean manager Hector Cuper, who will also have to do without Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal, left winger Mohamed Abdel-Shafi of Ahly Jeddah and Ahly’s Mohsen, all out with injuries.
Egypt has never lost to Burkina Faso in six meetings. The Pharaohs beat the Stallions in the 1998 Nations Cup semis before going on to win the title at the expense of South Africa.
The winner of Wednesday’s match will face in the final either Cameroon or Ghana, who will compete in the same round on Thursday.
