Bertrand Isidore Traore of Burkina Faso celebrates goal with teammates during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations match between Burkina Faso and Mauritania held at Peace Stadium in Bouake, Cote d’Ivoire on 16 January 2024 ©Djaffar Ladjal/BackpagePix
Tuesday Jan 16, 2024. 18:51
Burkina Faso claimed a tough but entertaining 1-0 win over Mauritania in their opening Group D fixture at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday, 16 January, much to the delight of the supporters at Stade Bouake.
Date: Tuesday, 16 January 2024
Burkina Faso: (0) 1 (Traore 98’ P)
Mauritania: (0) 0
Burkina Faso: Koffi, Yago, Tapsoba, Dayo, Kabore, Toure, Guira, Ki (Bande 86’), Bangare (Tapsoba 46’), Badolo (Traore 73’), Konate (Ouattara 85’)
Mauritania: Niasse, Gassama, Abeid, Keita, Fofana (Ngom 67’), Mohamed El Abd, Ba (Yaly 67’), Tanjy (Amar 57’), Thiam (El Hadji Ba 58’), Koita, Kamara (Anne 28’)
Burkina Faso got the game off to a bright start and knocked the ball around with ease during the first 10 minutes. Then, it was Mauritania who produced the first attempt of the match, with Aboubakary Koita producing a venomous shot from range which was tamed by Herve Koffi in goal.
Then, Burkina Faso midfielder Adama Guira came close to scoring in the 25th minute and manufactured a powerful shot on the edge of the Mauritania which went narrowly over the crossbar.
Also, Mauritania were awarded a free-kick in an inviting position with 30 minutes on the clock, as Koita’s effort left Koffi scrambling inside his six-yard box.
While Burkina Faso dominated the game for large parts during the second-half, the Stallions were awarded a penalty in stoppage time, which was expertly converted by Bertrand Traore.
Burkina Faso will now turn their attention to Algeria on the 20th of January, while Mauritania will face Angola on the same day.