AFCON 2025: Burkina struggles to pick all points against Equatorial Guinea
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All original articlesA shaky start for Burkina Faso who almost lost their opener against 10 man Equatorial Guinea. The Stallions who were down five minutes before the end of the game finally imposed themselves 2-1 after an explosive additional time, to temporarily take the lead in Group E.
Clumsiness that was almost costly
The men of Brama Traoré knew that against a Nzalang Nacional often inspired in the African Cup of Nations, the task would be difficult for them. And that’s exactly what happened with tenacious Equatorial Guineans.
Haven dominated the entire game with missed chances, unfinished actions, the quarter-finalist of the last AFCON in Côte d'Ivoire will take the game to the locker room goalless.
The Stallions showed way too much technical waste in the first period and gave wings to their opponents who gained confidence just five minutes before the end of regulation time. After a first goal invalidated for Lassina Traoré due to an offside position, Marvin Anieboh with a head far from being academic surprised Hervé Koffi to open the score in favor of 10 man Equatorial Guinea.
Ten minutes of football madness
Burkina Faso was therefore back to the wall and headed towards a failed start to the campaign. But the strength of character of the Stallions will make the difference. Georgi Minoungou, who came into play in the 79th minute, set the clock on a service from Dango Ouattara (90+5).
But the Stallions did not want to settle for a draw for their entry into the race. This is how their defensive leader, Edmond Tapsoba, rose to the forefront to place a timely header in the very last moments of the game (90+8) to snatch victory in favor of Burkina Faso, provisional leader of this Group F while waiting for Algeria - Sudan at 15h GMT.