Burkina Faso profile

Duarte: Leads The Stallions

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While considered by many to be relative minnows, Burkina Faso have emerged as one of the top African sides over recent years.

The West African nation's current ranking of 49th in the World and 9th in Africa illustrates just how far they have progressed.

The Stallions qualified for the African Cup of Nations after they finished second in Group E of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers behind African giants Ivory Coast, who many have tipped to be crowned Kings of Africa at the end of the month.

They will again face the Elephants who they drew along with Ghana and Togo in Group B, probably the toughest group in the tournament.

Burkino Faso have only progressed past the first round of the tournament in one of the six tournaments they have previously qualified for. That was in 1998, when they finished fourth overall and they will be looking to emulate that performance this time around.

One to watch: Moumouni Dagano

If they are to move past the first round of the competition it will be largely dependant on the form of experienced hitman Moumouni Dagano.

The striker, who made his international debut in 1999, will be an invaluable member of the Burkino Faso side as his experience and an international goal record which has seen him net 21 goals in 43 games will be vital to their chances.

Along with Fijian footballer Osea Vakatalesau, Dagano hit the back of the net 12 times to top the global scoring charts for 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

Coach: Paulo Jorge Rebelo Duarte

The Stallions are currently managed by Portuguese-born coach Paulo Jorge Rebelo Duarte, whose influence on the national side's style of play was clear to see during their qualifying campaign.

But while Duarte is vastly experienced at club level, this will be the first time he is leading an international team to a tournament of this scale.