Good afternoon and welcome to LIVE coverage of Burkina Faso against Ethiopia from the Mbombela Stadium.

You can read Reda Maher's findings on what went on earlier on in the day with Zambia and Nigeria drawing 1-1.

Grima is off with the groin problem to be replaced by Behailu Assefa.

Ethiopia down to ten men at the moment as we continue on this sandy, sandy pitch. Both teams trying to pass the ball to their full credit.

He is crying as he walks off the park to be consoled by his bench. So unfortunate.

The tournament looks to be over for Adane Girma, who is forced out of the action with what appears to be a groin tear.

Traore thumps a shot at goal from distance. Never had the direction on the shot. Easy save for Zerihun Tadelle in the Ethiopia goal.

Soulama taking an enormous risk as he decides to beat Seladin rather than hammer the ball long out of the danger area. Eventually gets it clear.

Seladin showing some lovely skills to play in his team-mate with that backheel. Just a shame Bekele could not finish off that move.

Degu Debebe takes no chances as he thumps the ball long out of the middle of his own box. No nonsense piece of defending.

Golden chance for Ethiopia, but Shimelese Bekele hits a post with just Abdoulaye Soulama to beat in the Burkina Faso goal. Should have been the opener.

Looks almost like an artificial surface out there. Plenty of sand and not much grass. Can't believe this is actually hosting a finals contest. Both teams toiling to get it on the deck. Very lively pitch.

Ethiopia in yellow, Burkina Faso in green. Wilfried Sanou sees a shooting chance, but misses the ball on the edge of the area. Horrid surface for playing football on.

We are off and running. Ethiopia get the action started.

Teams standing for the national anthems. All very emotional and we are almost ready to go in this contest.

Ethiopia are forced to replace suspended goalkeeper Jemal Tassew, who misses out after being sent off against Zambia. "The match against Zambia was our first experience after 31 years so, it was fantastic for our football, " said coach Sewnet Bishaw. "The players have shown their characters, and they have shown the rest of the world they can play football."

Burkina Faso have included Marseille midfielder Charles Kabore in their starting line-up after drawing with Nigeria in their opening match. Striker Alain Traore starts on the bench despite scoring the goal in the 1-1 draw with the Nigerians.

The referee for today's match is Bernard Camille of the Seychelles.

Ethiopia: 23-Zerihun Tadelle; 2-Degu Debebe, 10-Birhanu Bogale, 5-Aynalem Hailu, 17-Seyum Tesfaye; 8-Asrat Megersa, 14-Minyahile Teshome, 18-Shimelese Bekele, 21-Addis Hintsa; 19-Adane Girma, 7-Saladin Seid

Teams: Burkina Faso: 16-Abdoulaye Soulama; 5-Mohamed Koffi, 4-Bakary Kone, 8-Paul Koulibaly, 12-Mady Panandetiguiri; 6-Djakaridja Kone, 18-Charles Kabore, 11-Jonathan Pitroipa, 10-Alain Traore, 20-Wilfried Sanou; 15-Aristide Bance