In a historic moment for Burkina Faso’s football, the nation’s team secured a 1-0 victory over Mauritania in their Africa Cup of Nations Group D match.
This triumph came courtesy of a stoppage-time penalty scored by Bertrand Traore, a renowned midfielder for Aston Villa, after a foul on Issa Kabore by Mauritania’s captain Mohamed El Abd. The triumphant penalty not only opened Burkina Faso’s account with three points but also etched a new chapter in their football history.
This victory, marking Burkina Faso’s first win in an opening match at the Africa Cup of Nations, was achieved on their 13th attempt. The match that unfolded at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake on Tuesday witnessed a nail-biting finish with Traore’s winning penalty in the last minute.
Despite Mauritania’s commendable efforts and challenging chances, Burkina Faso managed to dominate possession. Their goalkeeper, Herve Koffi, played a crucial role in this victory with his excellent reflexes denying Mauritania any scoring opportunities.
Now leading Group D, Burkina Faso is continuing its pursuit for its first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title. Having made it to the finals and semifinals on several occasions, the team is hopeful of this edition being their breakthrough moment. Edmond Tapsoba, a central defender from the team and current player for Bayer Leverkusen, expresses confidence in the team’s potential for winning the tournament.
While acknowledging the tough competition from teams like Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, and host nation Ivory Coast, Tapsoba emphasizes the team’s preparedness and improvement. He also highlights the larger significance of the tournament in bringing joy to the people of Burkina Faso, especially amid challenging circumstances.
A Coach’s Vision
Hubert Velud, the head coach of Burkina Faso, who is making his debut at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations after 14 years, shares the team’s ambition. He believes that the team has the right mentality to clinify the AFCON title. Despite acknowledging the tough group they are in and the challenges they will face, Velud remains optimistic about Burkina Faso’s chances.
