Congo will look to clinch the top spot in Group E when it takes on Burkino Faso in the World Cup qualifiers on Saturday.
Congo currently sits at the top of the group with 10 points. The team with the most points after six matches books a spot in the third round where it must face another group winner in a two-legged playoff. The victory of that playoff will represent Africa in the World Cup finals next summer.
Congo needs only one point to books it passage to the next round. A draw would leave second place Burkino Faso with the possibility of only reaching 10 points. Third place Gabon has four points and can only garner 10 with two straight victories.
Burkino Faso has six points in four matches and needs to win its next two to have any chance to catching and surpassing Congo. A win on Saturday would only put them one point behind with a game pending against Gabon.
Both squads have a great deal of unfinished business to attend to after their first meeting. In that game, the squads drew 0-0 but Congo was awarded a 3-0 victory because its opponents fielded an illegal player; that match is the difference right now. If the 0-0 result had remained, both sides would be tied for first with seven points each.
Congo has only scored two times in the most recent three matches while Burkino Faso has tallied five times. However, the defensive edge clearly goes to Congo as the team has yet to concede in this tournament.
Prediction: Congo will utilize home field advantage to earn a 1-0 victory.
Start Time: Kick off starts at 10:30 AM Eastern Standard Time.
TV Info: The match will not be transmitted on television in North America.
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