In a nail-biting clash at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake on Tuesday, Burkina Faso etched their name in the history books with a thrilling 1-0 win over Mauritania in their Africa Cup of Nations Group D opener. The dramatic victory came courtesy of Bertrand Traore’s stoppage-time penalty, marking the first-ever opening-match triumph for Burkina Faso in the prestigious tournament.
Late Drama Unfolds: Traoré’s Stoppage-Time Penalty Breaks the Ice
The crucial penalty was awarded after Aston Villa midfielder Bertrand Traoré confidently converted his spot-kick, capitalizing on a foul committed by Mauritania captain Mohamed El Abd on Burkina Faso’s Issa Kabore. This historic win, secured at the 13th attempt, not only propelled Burkina Faso to the top of Group D but also showcased the team’s resilience and determination. Read Also: 30 Interesting Facts about the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
While Burkina Faso controlled possession, it was Mauritania that created more promising opportunities throughout the game. Goalkeeper Herve Koffi, with his exceptional reflexes, played a pivotal role in denying Mauritania’s attempts, leaving them to rue missed chances as they conceded in the 96th minute.
With three points in the bag, Burkina Faso now leads Group D after the initial round of matches. The result added an unexpected twist to the group, especially after Algeria, one of the tournament favorites, was held to a surprising 1-1 draw by Angola on the previous day.
VAR Plays Its Part: Controversy and Correction in Crucial Moments
Mauritania, though fighting bravely, had no grounds for complaint regarding the decisive penalty. Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed initially overlooked Captain El Abd’s challenge on Kabore, but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervention corrected the decision, ensuring fairness in the outcome.
Burkina Faso’s triumph extends their scoring streak to 15 consecutive Africa Cup of Nations matches, making it the longest active run and the second-longest in the tournament’s history. Only Egypt, who found the net in 27 consecutive matches between 1957 and 1980, holds a longer record.
Goalkeeper Heroics: Koffi Denies Mauritania’s Best Efforts
Before Traore’s late penalty heroics, Burkina Faso’s goalkeeper Koffi exhibited his shot-stopping prowess with superb saves, denying Idrissa Thiam’s free-kick and turning aside a powerful volley from Hemeya Tanji. Mauritania’s woes had compounded when former Fulham striker Aboubakar Kamara exited the field due to injury midway through the first half.
Despite their spirited effort, Mauritania’s record in the Africa Cup of Nations remains challenging. The team has never held a lead in any of their seven tournament appearances and has struggled to find the back of the net for almost 10 hours, dating back to their debut match in 2019.
In a tournament known for its unpredictability, Burkina Faso’s historic victory sets the stage for an exciting and unpredictable Group D campaign, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the team’s next showdown on the African football stage.