Burkina Faso v Senegal: Africa Cup of Nations semi-final – live!

If you’re looking for an omen, the last time that Senegal won an Africa Cup of nations semi-final (against Tunisia in 2019), the referee was Mr Bamlak Tessema, who is also in charge today. Only four of the Senegalese players who started back then are in the starting lineup today (Koulibably, Gueye, Kouyaté and Mané).

Senegal make two changes from their last match, with Kouyat´e starting in place of Pape Gueye while Bamba DIeng gets his first start of the tournament in place of Boulaye Dia.

Senegal: E Mendy; B Sarr, Koulibaly, A Diallo, Ciss; N Mendy, Kouyaté, Gueye; Dieng, Diedhiou, Mané

Burkina Faso: Koffi; Kaboré, Tapsoba, Dayo, Yago; Touré, Sangaré, Guira; Bandé, Traoré, Bayala

Referee: B Tessema (Ethiopia)

Hello and welcome to the first of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals. While the continent’s most decorated countries (Egypt and Cameroon) meet in tomorrow’s semis, today is a contest between nations who have never won the tournament before. Senegal have a particular craving for glory. They came mighty close to victory last time – reaching the final before falling to Algeria – and they are favorites to advance to the final again this year against Burkina Faso, whose young team has already surpassed expectations by reaching the semi-final.

Aliou Cissé’s team are well organized and tough and, thanks mainly to Sadio Mané, have magic that Burkina do not. But the Stallions are decent dark horses, canny, combative and, according to manager Kamou Malo, they are driven by a desire to continue bringing a sliver of light relief to people back home affected by last month’s coup. “We’re not politicians, we’re just footballers, we care about defending our colors and giving our people a smile,: said Malo in advance of this game. “We don’t have many stars but we’ve got heart, self-sacrifice and commitment.”

Malo add: “Senegal are solid but so we are we. The boys want to show that Sadio Mané is not as exceptional as all that. We’re not going to come with a mask: we’ll play our game.”.