In the opening match of Group D in the Africa Cup of Nations, Burkina Faso secured a close victory over Mauritania with Bertrand Traore converting a penalty in the 96th minute.
Traore, coming in as a substitute, deceived Mauritania’s goalkeeper, Babacar Niasse, by sending him the wrong way from the penalty spot. This occurred after Nouh Mohamed El Abd committed a foul on Issa Kabore in the penalty area.
Mauritania, on the brink of securing only their third-ever point at the Africa Cup of Nations, was denied in the final minutes of the match.
Despite having reached the semi-finals in three of the last five Afcon tournaments, Burkina Faso’s performance in Bouake fell short of their usual standards.
Villa’s Traore rescues Stallions
Burkina Faso seemed destined to join the ranks of Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Algeria in failing to secure a victory in their opening match. They generated several scoring opportunities in the humid Stade de la Paix, including an early attempt from Adama Guira that narrowly sailed over the crossbar.
Mauritania’s goalkeeper, Niasse, was compelled to make two impressive saves late in the game, thwarting Stephane Aziz Ki’s shot from a difficult angle and tipping a powerful strike from Traore over the bar.
Initially, referee Jalal Jayed had allowed play to continue when Kabore of Luton went down in the penalty area. However, he reversed his decision after the video assistant referee (VAR) recommended consulting the pitchside monitor. The stalemate was eventually broken by Aston Villa’s Traore, who displayed clinical accuracy from the penalty spot.
Mauritania, still in search of their inaugural Africa Cup of Nations victory, suffered a tough outcome. They began the match as the more promising side, with Stallions goalkeeper Herve Koffi making a brilliant save to tip Aboubakary Koita’s first-half free-kick over the bar.
Despite a strong effort in the second half, Koffi thwarted Sidi Amar’s attempt with a superb diving save.
Unfortunately for Mauritania, they were unable to find the back of the net, missing out on what could have been only their second goal in Afcon history.