AFCON 2024 – Group D: Teams, favourites and standings

Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Angola make up Group D of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024).

This year's continental finals are also sometimes called AFCON 2023, since it was initially scheduled to take place last year, but was postponed until January-February 2024.

In this article, we'll give you all the information about this group.

AFCON 2024 Group D teams

Algeria
Burkina Faso
Mauritania
Angola

AFCON 2024 Group D schedule

The AFCON 2024 Group D matches will mainly take place in Bouaké.

Day 1:

• 15 January, 9 pm: Algeria vs Angola, Stade de la Paix
• 16 January, 3 pm: Burkina Faso vs Mauritania, Stade de la Paix

Day 2:

• 20 January, 3 pm: Algeria vs Burkina Faso, Stade de la Paix
• 20 January, 6 pm: Mauritania vs Angola, Stade de la Paix

Day 3:

• 23 January, 9 pm: Angola vs Burkina Faso, Charles Konan Banny Stadium
• 23 January, 9 pm: Mauritania vs Algeria, Stade de la Paix

AFCON 2024 Group D: Analysis of the teams involved

Algeria

Algeria, considered the undisputed favourite of this group, have a rich history in the competition. Despite their failure in the first round during the last edition, we must not forget that the Greens won the title four years ago. Having familiar opponents in this group, notably Burkina Faso, Algeria are serious contenders for the title.

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso, who finished first in their qualifying group, is seen as the second favourite in Group D. The Stallions demonstrated their talent during the previous edition of this tournament, finishing in fourth place. Their recent skirmishes with Algeria at the 2022 World Cup qualifiers (2-2 and 1-1) show that Hubert Velud's men are capable of standing up to the biggest teams in the continent.

Bertrand Traoré's teammates certainly have the potential to disrupt Algeria's plans and advance far in the tournament.

Angola

Angola, returning to the competition for the first time since 2019, face a considerable challenge in this group. The Palancas Negras have had moments of glory in the past, including quarter-final berths in 2008 and 2010.

However, they must now overcome a less glorious recent past and revive a struggling attack. Pedro Goncalves' men scored just one goal in their last six matches ahead of this tournament.

With a team that has evolved since the days of players like Manucho, Lama and Flavio, it'll be interesting to see how Angola will fare against formidable opponents like Algeria.

Mauritania

Mauritania, although considered the underdog of the group, should not be underestimated. Their heavy defeat (4-1) against Algeria in a friendly match in 2021 does not entirely sum up the capabilities of the Mourabitounes.

With a motivated team masterfully shaped by Amir Abdou, who led the Comoros to the round of 16 of the last edition, Mauritania could create a surprise and defy the odds. Their third consecutive appearance at the AFCON represents an opportunity to demonstrate their progress and assert themselves on the African scene after eliminating Gabon in the qualifying rounds.

Group D: Their history at the Africa Cup of Nations

Algeria

19 appearances

Best performance: winners in 1990 and 2019

Burkina Faso

12 appearances

Best performance: finalists in 2013

Mauritania

Two appearances

Best performance: 1st round in 2019 and 2021

Angola

Eight appearances

Best performance: quarter-finalists in 2008 and 2010

AFCON 2024 Group D: The history of clashes between Algeria and Burkina Faso

Algeria and Burkina Faso have clashed many times throughout their history. Indeed, there have been 22 confrontations in total between the Fennecs and the Etalons.

The Greens have won nine times, Burkina Faso have six wins, while seven of those skirmishes ended in stalemates. The last meeting between the two outfits dates back to November 2021, at the qualifying rounds of the 2022 World Cup, where they played out a 2-2 draw.

Finally, in a special case, Burkina Faso and Mauritania faced each other in a friendly match in October, where they emerged victorious in a 2-1 win.

AFCON 2024 Group D standings