Algeria  seek their first win at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations   when they take on Burkina Faso  at Stade de la Paix on Saturday.

Victory for the Fennecs would see them supplant their opponents, who lead Group D  after the first round of fixtures.

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 Djamel Belmadi must still be disappointed with his side’s inability to see out their first-half advantage against Angola before playing out a 1-1 draw in their opening game of the group.

Baghdad Bounedjah put the 2019 champions ahead and would have doubled the North African side’s advantage with an impressive acrobatic effort but saw the strike ruled out for offside.

The Fennecs’ high level dipped after half time, allowing Angola back into the game long before conceding the 68th-minute leveller for the eventual draw, despite rallying late on to find another goal in the closing minutes.

Having exited at the group stage at the last Cup of Nations, Belmadi’s men face a tricky encounter against a side that could pose more problems than the Angolans did in round one.

Securing maximum points does not assure the North African side of a spot among the top two, even if it all but confirms participation in the round of 16 with four third-placed sides also progressing.

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As for Burkina Faso, a much-improved showing from their opening game against Mauritania is required to compete with Algeria on Saturday.

A late Bertrand Traore penalty secured three points in the Stallions’ Group D opener, but the West African side were the least impressive team despite the outcome, struggling to cope with the Lions of Chinguetti’s intensity and aggression without possession.

Algeria are not expected to be as combative as Mauritania were, possibly giving Burkina Faso a different type of game to deal with this weekend.

Having made it to the semis at AFCONs 2017 and 2021,Hubert Velud’s  team need a point to effectively be assured of continued participation at this year’s continental showpiece.

Securing maximum points ends Burkina Faso’s three-game winless run against Algeria and seals qualification to the next round, even if it remains to be seen if the 2013 runners-up halt that run at the fourth time of asking.

Team News

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Riyad Mahrez who could not be decisive against Angola, seeks to aid Algeria’s attacking performance this time against the Stallions.

On the other flank is Youcef Belaili , whose directness and aggressive ball-carrying could disrupt Burkina Faso’s defence.

Belmadi could start the same side that played their first game, with no reported injuries to the Fennecs.

As for the Stallions, Velud has a decision to make over Traore starting or coming off the bench like he did against Mauritania.

It remains to be seen if Dango Ouattara  is fit to play, having been in the wars against the Lions of Chinguetti.

Defensively, Edmond Tapsoba  had a commendable showing in round one, and the Bayer Leverkusen defender should be pivotal against the Fennecs.

Algeria possible starting lineup:
Mandrea; Atal, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait Nouri; Bentaleb; Belaili, Bennacer, Chaibi, Mahrez; Bounedjah

Burkina Faso possible starting lineup:
Koffi; Kabore, Dayo, Tapsoba, Yago; Guira, Toure; Traore, Ki, Badolo; Konate

Prediction: Algeria 2-1 Burkina Faso

Algeria should return to winning ways after a disappointing tournament opener to extend their undefeated run over Burkina Faso to four games.