2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finalist, Burkina Faso had to rely on a last gasp penalty converted by Aston Villa forward, Bertrand Traore to edge Mauritania in their AFCON 2023 opener in Bouake on Tuesday.
Cedric Badolo was in a good position after receiving a cross on the edge of the area. His attempt passed a few centimeters from the bar in the 19th minute.
On the half hour mark, Idrissa Thiam has the opportunity to put Mauritania ahead. He sent a nice shot toward the middle of the goal, but Herve Koffi made a superb save.
In the second half, Sidi Bouna Amar was very close to changing the score in favour of Mauritania with this beautiful strike from the edge of the area. The ball was heading toward the right of the goal, but Herve Koffi made the save.
With eight minutes before the end of the match, Babacar Niasse made a sensational save to fend off a huge opportunity. A rebound arrived to Bertrand Traore in the area as he hits the goal, but the ball ends up in the goalkeeper’s gloves instead of the roof of the goal.
Burkina Faso players shouted for a penalty claim in the 90th minute following a defender’s foul on Issa Kabore who fell and won the penalty.
It was a perfect penalty from Bertrand Traore in the left part of the goal, which left goalkeeper Babacar Niasse with no chance.
The Burkinababe topped Group D with three points while Algeria’s 1-1 draw with Angola on Monday put both on a point each.
Burkina Faso’s Ibrahim Blati won the player of the match prize.
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