Burkina Faso won the classification match at the U17 AFCON against Mali on Thursday, May 17. The Stallions won 2-1 and finish at the 3rd place of the podium winning the bronze medal.
The Malians, who started the tournament with 3 consecutive victories, recorded their 2nd defeat. However, the Eaglets had also started well in this game. After having suffered the pressure of the Stallions during the first 5 minutes, they recovered and reversed the trend of the game. On two occasions, they were close to opening the score. First with captain Ibrahima Diarra collecting an excellent ball back from Ibrahima Konaté on the edge of the box but failing to hit the target. A few minutes later, Konaté was back on his left side and crossed the ball back. This time, Arouna Ouattara saved on the line. Dominant, the Eagles did not manage to score. They were even surprised at the back on a counter-attack. Burkina Faso obtains a penalty perfectly transformed by Ousmane Camara (26th).
Mali did not let it get them down and continued to play. They even came close to equalizing on a perfectly executed counter-attack. This time, it was on the left side that the danger came. Salif Noah Leintu's shot was saved by the Burkinabe goalkeeper. Mamadou Doumbia took another shot but again Ouattara saved on the line. Three clear chances in the first half but Soumaïla Coulibaly's boys will not manage to score. The Burkina Faso goalkeeper was forced to give up his place after a collision in the extra time of the first half. The score will not move until the break.
After the break, the Stallions surprised the Eagles by doubling the lead two minutes after the restart (47th). Appolinaire Bougma was there. Leading by two goals, the Burkinabes were comfortable in their defensive game with a low block while proceeding by counter-attacks. The Malians have to catch up and continue to play the game. They will reduce the score but the goal will be cancelled. Very determined, the Eagles continue to push and manage to reduce the score thanks to Mamadou Doumbia (58th). Top scorer of his team, the Malian striker scored his 4th goal of the tournament.
The physical contact intensifies. Mali dominates but does not manage to be very dangerous. They have a few chances but they can't manage to put the Burkinabe keeper in trouble. Sometimes it's out of target, sometimes it's soft and harmless shots. They will corner the Stallions at the end of the game and will have several set pieces. The Burkinabes, however, had folded well to defend their advantage. This they managed to do until the end of the game. They will succeed in taking revenge on their tormentor during the group matches (1-0). And they finish at the 3rd place of the podium. The grand final will be played this Friday, May 19 between Senegal and Morocco. It will be from 19h GMT.
FULL-TIME! ⏰
Burkina Faso earn a hard-fought victory against Mali in the third-place playoff 🐎#TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 pic.twitter.com/S1ThlqQGdI
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 2023 🏆 (@CAF_Online) May 18, 2023
