In a thrilling encounter at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake, Burkina Faso narrowly triumphed over Mauritania in their Africa Cup of Nations Group D opener. The hero of the night was Bertrand Traore, who converted a decisive penalty in the 96th minute, guiding Burkina Faso to a 1-0 victory.
The match, characterized by its intensity and tightly contested nature, saw both teams creating notable chances. Mauritania, eager to secure their first ever win in the competition, displayed a spirited performance. Their striker, Aboubakary Koita, was a constant threat, testing Burkina Faso goalkeeper Herve Koffi on multiple occasions. Koffi’s remarkable saves, particularly from Koita’s first-half free-kick and a second-half attempt by Sidi Amar, were pivotal in keeping Mauritania at bay.
Burkina Faso, on the other hand, demonstrated a robust attacking display, with Adama Guira and Stephane Aziz Ki coming close to scoring. The Stallions, who have reached the semi-finals in three of the past five tournaments, found their rhythm thwarted by a resilient Mauritanian defense, led by goalkeeper Babacar Niasse. Niasse’s exceptional saves, denying Ki and a powerful strike from Traore, kept the score level until the final moments.
The game’s defining moment arrived in stoppage time when Nouh Mohamed El Abd’s foul on Issa Kabore in the penalty area was spotted by VAR. Traore, stepping up to the spot, made no mistake, sending Niasse the wrong way and securing a crucial win for Burkina Faso.
This late win sets a positive tone for Burkina Faso’s campaign, as they look forward to their next fixture against Algeria on January 20. Mauritania, still in search of their first Afcon win, will face Angola on the same day, hoping to turn their fortunes around.
