Ethiopia a must-win game for Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso head coach Brama Traore is hoping to give Ethiopia hell in their final 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Stade du 4 Aout on Sunday.

Kick-off is at 9pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

CURRENT FORM:

The Stallions must win in Ouagadougou to stand a chance of qualifying for the playoffs as they are only the fifth best-placed team among the runners-up across the nine groups.

Traore's side trail DR Congo (3rd) and Madagascar (4th) by one point, while Gabon (1st) and Cameroon (2nd) are two and three points better off respectively.

Burkina Faso beat Sierra Leone 1-0 on Wednesday to extend their unbeaten run in Group A to six matches since losing 2-1 to Egypt in June 2024.

The West Africans ran out 3-0 victors over the Walia Ibex in the reverse fixture back in November 2023 thanks to second-half goals from Blati Toure, Bertrand Traore and Dango Ouattara.

Ethiopia have nothing to play for but pride as they look to finish above Guinea-Bissau, who are only one point ahead of them in fourth position.

Mesay Teferi's side were never really in the picture after failing to win their opening five games in the group, but they did manage to get the better of the Djurtus on Wednesday (a 1-0 victory).

WHAT WAS SAID:

Burkina Faso head coach Brama Traore

"The next step is already Sunday. We have a meeting at the Stade du 4 Aout against Ethiopia. Facing our people and the Ouagadougou public at the Stade du 4 Aout.

"It's going to be hell. We know this crowd is going to be on fire. And we have to prepare to give them, to give them a lot, a lot of satisfaction after the 90 minutes."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Burkina Faso - Bertrand Traore is one of the most experienced members of the current squad and he has played a key role in qualifying after scoring three goals, including one in their previous meeting with Ethiopia. The 30-year-old winger featured for 82 minutes against the Leone Stars in midweek before being given a breather.

Ethiopia - Bereket Desta is one of just three players to have scored a hat-trick in Group A after he and teammate Abubeker Nassir bagged three goals each in the 6-1 demolition of Djibouti in March. The 26-year-old winger has become an established member of the team since being recalled in October 2024 after a two-year absence.