CAPE TOWN — Both Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso go into their final Group B game at the 2014 African Nations Championship (Chan) outside of the top two, but with a good chance of making the quarterfinals.
Just three points separates pool leaders Uganda and Burkina Faso in fourth, meaning victory in this encounter will see one of these two into the next stage. Should Zimbabwe win, then they will definitely advance no matter what happens in the other pool match between Morocco and Uganda.
Should they claim the win and the other game finishes as a draw, they could potentially finish top of the pool as well.
For Burkina Faso it is a little more complicated, they must win and hope that Uganda get something from the other game to avoid Morocco shooting to five points and the Ugandans edging Burkina Faso on the head-to-head rule following their 2-1 loss in the opening round.
Zimbabwe coach Ian Gorowa has been pleased with the way his side has performed in the tournament so far — bar the strikers who have not scored in the opening two games following successive 0-0 draws.
He will expect a lot better against the Burkinabe, who did well to force a 1-1 draw from the more fancied Moroccans in the last game.
These two sides have met on three previous occasions, with Zimbabwe winning two and the other one drawn.
Their last meeting was in Masvingo in 2007 and finished in a 1-1 draw.
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Meanwhile, Uganda Cranes head coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic has said he is disappointed by the general performance of his team as they drew 0-0 with Zimbabwe in a 2014 Chan tie on Thursday evening at the Athlone Stadium, Cape Town.
“Although I am happy that we managed to get a point from that match, I am disappointed by our general performance because some players were playing individual football rather than teamwork,” said Micho.
The Serb said playing against Zimbabwe was very tough because they kept switching their tactics and dominated the game more.
“We were troubled a lot when their wingers kept pulling in and out. But we need to go back to the drawing board ahead of our last game,” added the former Orlando Pirates coach.
He also said some of his players might have flopped because they wanted to impress agents who have already started following them up.
The coach, however, gave credit to the Zimbabwe team that he said has lots of experience.
The Cranes, who have collected four points now with two goals scored will now have to prepare for the last Group B game against Morocco on January 20. — MTN Football
