Burkina Faso beat Sudan to carry momentum into AFCON knockout stage
Burkina Faso sealed second place in Group E at the Africa Cup of Nations with a hard fought 2 0 victory over Sudan at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca.
With qualification at stake for both sides, the contest opened in a cautious manner, although Burkina Faso started the match as favourites.
The breakthrough arrived in the 16th minute when the Stallions took the lead through Lassina Traore, who nodded home at the back post after sustained pressure high up the pitch forced the opening goal.
After winning possession in Sudan’s half, Stephane Aziz Ki delivered a shot that doubled as a cross, finding Traore at the far post. The striker made no mistake as he netted his 13th goal for the national team.
Despite Burkina Faso controlling much of the game, a brief lapse in concentration allowed John Mano to slip between the defender and the goalkeeper, with the latter fouling him to concede a penalty.
Mano failed to take advantage, missing the spot kick and remaining without a senior international goal. The miss lifted Sudan, who went close to equalising soon after when Yasir Mozamil fired wide from close range.
The second half began quietly, but Sudan gradually increased the pressure in search of an equaliser. Around 10 minutes after the restart, Aamir Abdallah came closest, dragging his effort just past the post after a well worked move. Another opportunity followed when Al Gozoli Nooh almost squeezed a tight finish beyond Herve Koffi.
Those missed chances proved costly as Burkina Faso wrapped up the win against the run of play. A quick counter attack led by Brentford forward Dango Ouattara created the opening, and Arsene Kouassi applied the finish, with the help of a deflection, to secure the result and confirm automatic qualification.
The win ensures Burkina Faso advance in second place behind Algeria and will face the winners of Group F in the knockout round, which could be Cameroon, Ivory Coast or Mozambique.
Sudan, meanwhile, progress as one of the best third placed teams and will take on Senegal in their next match.
