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Gaël Bigirimana’s Burundi are closing in on a historic first appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The midfielder featured as his country thumped South Sudan 5-2 at the weekend, putting them second in their qualification group with one game to play.

With Mali having qualified after a 1-0 win over Gabon, Bigirimana’s side just need to avoid defeat at home to Gabon on 22 March to qualify.

Burundi are two points ahead of Gabon in the final qualifying spot, and managed a 1-1 draw away to their group rivals earlier this year.

Adam Livingstone scored a stunning free-kick, but Motherwell’s Colts ultimately bowed out of the IRN-BRU Cup to Ross County.

The Championship side showed their experience to grind out the win, in the face of a strong performance from the young Steelmen.

Barry Maguire, Broque Watson and goal scorer Adam Livingstone react to the quarter final defeat against Ross County in the Irn-Bru cup.

Despite going down to ten men, the Steelmen put in an inspired performance against Championship opponents, and fell narrowly short of a place in the last four.

Speaking at full time, Barry Maguire said: “We’ve done the coaches, the fans and ourselves proud.”

Stephen Craigan was disappointed his Colts side exited the IRN-BRU Cup at the hands of Ross County, but was proud of his history-making side.

The youngsters were the first Under 20s Premiership side to reach the quarter-finals and more than matched their vastly more experienced opponents, before losing 2-1.

Motherwell’s colts side put in a fighting performance but just lost out to Championship high-flyers Ross County in the IRN-BRU Cup quarter-final.

A stunning Adam Livingstone free-kick pegged back the Staggies but two goals lost from set plays handed the win to the visitors.

In a combative affair at Fir Park, the game came down to four incidents in a five-minute spell.

With six minutes gone in the second half, County had the lead. A corner to the back post was headed back across the face of the goal, where Ross Stewart was on hand to knock the ball home.

Two minutes later, Stephen Craigan’s men were handed a lifeline as Jake Hastie was felled as he bore down on goal.

Presented with the chance 20 yards from goal, left back Livingstone lifted the ball brilliantly over the wall and off the bar, before it nestled in the net.

Scenes of celebration were then immediately tempered. Christian Mbulu was adjudged to have committed an act of violent conduct as he ran into Don Cowie as he went to join his team-mates.

A man down, the young Steelmen were then undone three minutes later from another set play. Again, Stewart was the beneficiary, putting the Championship side back in the lead.

Motherwell continued to push to try and get back into the match, but ultimately came up short as their more-experienced opponents held firm in front of 1,200 supporters.

Adam Livingstone believes the Colts can use more than just a place in the Irn-Bru Cup semi final as inspiration against Ross County on Saturday. 

The academy graduate admits that the thought of a spot in Stephen Robinson’s first team is something the youngsters can channel in to their performance as they prepare to face Championship opposition at Fir Park.

“I think it can give us all an extra edge,” the defender said.

“We’ve shown that we’re capable of going toe-to-toe with first team players and teams, and we want to do ourselves justice this weekend.”

Stephen Craigan wants his players to express themselves in Saturday’s Irn-Bru Cup quarter-final.

Motherwell’s Colts side take on Ladbrokes Championship opposition in Ross County, having become the first young side to reach the last eight.

Fir Park plays host to the IRN-BRU Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, as Motherwell Colts welcome Ross County.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

History makers

The youngsters are the first in the competition’s history to reach the last eight of the IRN-BRU Cup, having defeated Sligo Rovers in the last round.

East Stirlingshire and Dundee Colts have also been defeated on the way to the clash with the Ladbrokes Championship side.

Tough opponents

The opportunity to face senior teams in the competition provides a different test for Stephen Craigan’s side, but taking on County arguably provides their most difficult to date.

The Staggies, relegated from the Premiership last season, are second in the league this campaign and still boast a host of players who played top flight football last season.

That includes lively striker Billy McKay, who has netted 11 goals in 18 appearances in 2018/19.

Ticket information

You can buy your tickets online now, or pay at the gate on the day. Adult entry costs £8, concessions go for £4 and kids aged 15 and under can get in for just £2.

The John Hunter stand will be the only stand open for the match for home fans. Ross County fans will be housed in our Cooper stand behind the goal.

Motherwell are in IRN-BRU Cup action on Saturday, as Championship high-flyers Ross County travel to take on our colts team.

Stephen Craigan’s youngsters have already made history in reaching the last eight of the competition but face a tough test against the team who were in the Ladbrokes Premiership last season.

Here is the game previewed in numbers.

One

Only one colts team has ever reached the quarter final of the IRN-BRU Cup, and it was Motherwell who set that record in this season’s competition.

Now in the third season with Premiership clubs’ under 20s players being involved in the competition, their progression signals the progression they’ve made, using the opportunity the competition provides to play against senior teams.

Seven

From the Colts’ three games in the IRN-BRU Cup this season, the youngsters have put seven goals past their opponents, conceding just once.

A 3-0 win over East Stirlingshire was followed up by a 2-1 win at Dens Park against Dundee’s colts side.

Then at Fir Park, Irish side Sligo Rovers were put to the sword in a 2-0 victory.

15

Ross County’s goal difference in the Championship is the best in the division, having scored 24 goals and conceded nine.

Only table-topping Ayr United have scored more goals with 25, while the Staggies have the best defensive record.

Motherwell Colts host Ross County on Saturday in the quarter-final of the IRN-BRU Cup at Fir Park. 

Stephen Craigan’s history-making youngsters are the only remaining Colts’ side in the competition, and now face Championship opposition for a chance to make it to the last four.

Here, we take a look at Steven Ferguson and Stuart Kettlewell’s side.

Title aspirations

The Dingwall outfit have started strongly in the Scottish Championship following their relegation last season, and currently sit four points off league leaders Ayr.

In what is a competitive division, the Staggies are joined by Dundee United and fellow Highlanders Inverness CT in the immediate pack challenging Ian McCall’s side.

Solid rearguard

No side has a better defence in the Championship than Ross County, who have shipped just nine goals this term.

Going forward, they have bagged 24 goals and are currently only being outscored by Ayr, who have found the net on 25 occasions.

Motherwell Colts can expect a difficult clash against a side who have been impressive all over the park in 2018/19.

Familiar territory

Although it’s a long trip in distance for Saturday’s opponents, it’s not been long since Ross County were last at Fir Park.

Back in January, the Staggies took on the Steelmen and lost 2-0, thanks to a Harry Souttar own goal and a Curtis Main strike to give Stephen Robinson’s men all three points.