Preview: Sudan vs. Burkina Faso in AFCON World Group Stage

KHARTOUM, Sudan (Interstat) — Sudan and Burkina Faso will close the 2025 calendar year with a critical Africa Cup of Nations World group stage match here Wednesday.

The fixture, part of the new AFCON World qualifying tournament, pits a Sudanese side seeking redemption against a Burkinabè squad looking to start their campaign with an away result.

Sudan enters the match under pressure after a deflating 3-0 road loss to Algeria on Dec. 24. That result extended a challenging period for the home side, which will need a sharp defensive turnaround to contain Burkina Faso’s attack.

Burkina Faso’s recent form is less documented, with its last official result logged far in the past. The Stallions, however, are typically a formidable force in African football and boast more recent continental experience than Sudan, including a semifinal appearance in the 2021 AFCON.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the match is projected to be a low-scoring affair, with Burkina Faso narrowly favored to win 1-0. This prediction underscores the anticipated defensive struggle and the premium on capitalizing on limited chances.

For Sudan, playing at home provides a significant opportunity to reset after the Algeria defeat. A positive result would galvanize their qualifying hopes and build momentum.

For Burkina Faso, navigating a hostile environment in Khartoum to secure three points would mark an ideal start to their group stage quest.

Kickoff is set for Wednesday evening at Khartoum Stadium. The match will be broadcast across the Confederation of African Football’s worldwide partners.