Two goals deep into stoppage time handed Burkina Faso a stunning 2-1 comeback win over 10-man Equatorial Guinea, extending their winning streak to five matches after a thrilling AFCON Group E opener.
Match Report
Burkina Faso head coach Brama Traoré arrived at AFCON on the back of an impressive run of results and had reason to believe his side could mount a serious challenge for a maiden continental title. Ranked 35 places higher than Equatorial Guinea, the Stallions looked to impose themselves early, with Bertrand Traoré and Issoufou Dayo both seeing half-chances.
Despite sustained pressure, Juan Michá’s Equatorial Guinea side stayed disciplined, though they offered little attacking threat. Luís Asué fired over the bar, while José Machín also missed the target from range. Burkina Faso nearly broke the deadlock when Dango Ouattara found space on the left, but a superb sliding tackle from Pablo Ganet denied the Brentford forward. The opening half lacked quality in the final third, with neither team registering a shot on target before the break.
Five minutes into the second half, Equatorial Guinea were reduced to 10 men after VAR upgraded Basilio Ndong’s yellow card to a straight red for a studs-up challenge on Bertrand Traoré. Michá responded by shoring up his defence, introducing Charles Ondo for Asué. Burkina Faso pressed their numerical advantage, with Ouattara denied by goalkeeper Jesús Owono and Pierre Landry Kaboré heading wide from Arsène Kouassi’s cross.
Substitute Lassina Traoré thought he had scored moments after coming on, volleying home from a Ouattara header, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside. Against the run of play, Equatorial Guinea struck first in the 85th minute when Marvin Anieboh powered in a header from Carlos Akapo’s corner.
That goal appeared to have sealed an unlikely win, but Burkina Faso responded dramatically. Georgi Minoungou fired home an equaliser deep into stoppage time, before Edmond Tapsoba completed the turnaround in the 98th minute with a close-range header, sparking wild celebrations in Casablanca as the Stallions moved top of Group E.