In a thrilling encounter at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké in Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso emerged victorious with a 1-0 win over the spirited Mauritania.
Bertrand Traoré’s last-minute penalty proved to be the decisive moment, securing all three points for Burkina Faso in their opening Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group stage match.
Despite being the underdogs, Mauritania displayed resilience and determination, keeping Burkina Faso at bay for much of the game.
Mauritania, participating in only their third AFCON tournament, faced low expectations against Burkina Faso, a team with a rich history in the competition.
However, the minnows surprised many by standing firm in the face of Burkinabé forwards Cedric Badolo and Mohamed Konaté, who threatened early on in the game.
Goalkeeper Babacar Niasse remained untested as their chances failed to find the mark.
The Lions of Chinguetti even had an opportunity to take the lead when Aboubakary Koita’s free-kick caught Burkina Faso’s Hervé Koffi off-guard.
Despite an exquisite save from Koffi, Mauritania showcased their potential, preventing the Stallions from finding the back of the net in the first half—an achievement in itself, considering their limited AFCON experience.
As the second half unfolded, Burkina Faso, the favorites, increased the pressure in their quest for three points.
However, Mauritania’s defense held strong against the onslaught.
A shift in momentum became apparent with attacking changes for the Lions, including a powerful long-range shot from substitute Amar Sidi Bouna that forced Koffi into a brilliant save.
Burkina Faso’s response was swift, and Niasse had to pull off a remarkable one-handed save to deny Bertrand Traoré’s drive.
In a dramatic turn of events, Issa Kaboré won a penalty in stoppage time after being fouled by Nouh El Abd.
Following a VAR review, Traoré stepped up and converted the penalty with precision, extending Burkina Faso’s scoring streak to 15 consecutive AFCON games.
While Hubert Velud’s men maintained their undefeated record in five head-to-head encounters, Mauritania continues their pursuit of a maiden win in the AFCON tournament.
