Burkina Faso need only a draw to make it to the last eight while neighbouring Ghana must fight for a win after a disappointing 3-1 encounter against giants Ivory Coast.
Both teams are playing their last group game in the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola. Burkina Faso need just a point to progress to the next stage but stuttering Ghana must win at all costs to keep their tournament hopes alive.

The Stallions have a point after holding pre-tournament favourites Ivory Coast in their opening game. That disappointing result pushed the Elephants to stamp the Black Stars of Ghana in a humiliating 3-1 result.

The four-time African champions entered the tournament with a limping leg already, as most of their senior players are suffering various forms of injuries and fell on their Under-20 World Cup winning youngsters to fill in the spaces. Their game against Ivory Coast could rightly be dubbed a game between today’s generation and the future generation.
The Stallions' defence is robust, with a goalkeeper who knows when to step up to intimidate his goal hungry opponents. And their opening game is enough to send their message across that they are not in Angola as spectators, but to leave a footprint in the history books of the Nations Cup.

Milovan Rajevac's men will need to put on the hearts of men as they lack the strength and experience to push deep into their opponents’ half. With the exception of a few, such as Udinese midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah and Rahim Ayew, the rest do not seem to be goal thirsty.

They need to keep an eagle eye on World Cup qualifying round top scorer Moumouni Dagano, since he will want to make a name for himself against a weakened Ghana side that rely solely on danger man, but injury doubt, Michael Essien.

TEAM NEWS

Burkina Faso

There has been no injury reported from their training camp.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Daouda Diakite (Mokawloo Al-Arab, Egypt), Germain Sanou (Saint-Étienne, France), Adama Sawadogo (ASFA-Y, Burkina)

Defenders: Ibrahim Gnanou (Alania Vladiskavkaz, Russia), Bakary Koné (Guingamp, France), Paul Koulibaly (Al Ittihiad Tripoli, Libya), Moussa Ouattara (Kaiserslautern, Germany), Madi Panandétiguir (Leiria, Portugal), Mamadou Tall (Leiria, Portugal)

Midfielders: Charles Kaboré (Marseille, France), Mahamoudou Keré (Charleroi, Belgium), Mohamed Koffi (Petrojet, Egypt), Aziz Nikiéma (Qingdao Jonoon, China), Jonathan Pitroipa (Hambourg, Germany), Florent Rouamba (Sheriff Tiraspol, Moldova), Sibiri Alain Traoré (Auxerre, France)

Forwards: Habib Bamogo (OGC Nice, France), Moumouni Dagano (Al Khor, Qatar), Youssouf Koné (CFR Cluj, Romania), Youssouf Ouattara (Leiria, Portugal), Narcisse Yaméogo (Migan, Azerbaijan), Patrick Zoundi (Fortuna Düsseldorf, Germany).

Ghana

Ghana captain Michael Essien suffered a knee injury during training on Sunday. It is uncertain whether the Chelsea midfielder will feature in Tuesday’s crucial Group B fixture against the Stallions. "He picked up a knock in training and was taken to the hospital for checks," Ghana spokesman Randy Abbey told Reuters. "He has been released from the hospital to join his team-mates. He is now resting at the hotel. We don't know the extent of the injury." He has only played 45 minutes in this tournament due to injury troubles.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Richard Kingson (Wigan, England), Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professionals, Ghana), Philemon McCarthy (Hearts of Oak, Ghana)

Defenders: Hans Adu Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Samuel Inkoom (Basel, Switzerland), Eric Addo (Roda JC, Holland), Isaac Vorsah (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany), Mensah Jonathan (Granada, Spain), Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea, Ghana) and Harrison Afful (Esperance, Tunisia)

Midfielders: Ibrahim Ayew (Zamalek, Egypt), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg, Norway), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Sampdoria, Italy), Opoku Agyemang (Al Sadd, Qatar), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy), Moussa Narry (Auxerre, France) and Andre Ayew (Arles-Avagnon, France)

Attackers: Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda, Holland), Asamoah Gyan (Rennes, France), Dominic Adiyiah (Fredrikstad FK, Norway), Haminu Draman (Locomotiv Moscow, Russia) and Osei Ransford (FC Twente, Holland)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Burkina Faso

Moumouni Dagano is yet to score a goal in this tournament, but he was Africa’s top scorer in the World Cup qualifying round. The 28-year-old striker is a goal poacher and will be looking forward to keeping the fans on their feet every time he gets the ball.

Ghana

Kwadwo Asamoah, the Udinese midfielder, is cunning with the ball and always looking out for loopholes at any angle to quench his goal thirst. He is skillful, has an appreciable level of pace and dribbles to the admiration of the fans. He is the man to watch if Burkina Faso want to keep their Cup of Nations dream

PREDICTION

It is a game open to any of the two teams to progress to the next stage. However, Burkina Faso has an upper hand.