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Burkina Faso edge stubborn Cape Verde
Boureima Hassane Bande of Burkina Faso is congratulated for scoring the opening goal during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Afcon Finals football match between Cape Verde and Burkina Faso at Olembe Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon on 13 January 2022 ©Alain Guy Suffo/BackpagePix
Thursday Jan 13, 2022. 22:26
Burkina Faso secured a 1-0 win over Cape Verde in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group A match at the Stade Omnisport Paul Biya on Thursday night.
The victory elevated the Stallions to second place on the group standings, while the Blue Sharks slipped down to the third spot, but the two teams are level on points heading into their final group matches on Monday.
The Stallions were the better side in the opening stages of the encounter with Gustavo Sangare dominating the midfield battle. The France-based midfielder came close to scoring when his goal-bound attempt was cleared away by Roberto Lopes.
Burkina Faso were determined to open the scoring against the Blue Sharks. Vozinha – the Cape Verde goalkeeper – was a busy man as he made a lovely save to deny Abdou Tapsoba, before blocking an attempt from Hassane Bande as pressure mounted on the Blue Sharks.
The Blue Sharks did threaten following a rare good attack by the Island nation. Jamiro Monteiro flicked the ball into Julio Tavares’ path and the Cape Verde hitman unleashed a shot which was well saved by an alert Herve Koffi in the Burkina Faso goal-posts.
However, the Stallions’ pressure paid off six minutes before half-time with Bande scoring. The Istra 1961 attacker directed the ball into the back of the net with his chest to hand Burkina Faso a 1-0 lead with Issa Kabore providing the assist and the Stallions were leading at half-time.
The Blue Sharks came back an improved side following the half-time break and they began creating a few chances. Garry Rodrigues forced Koffi into a fine save after the Olympiacos Piraeus forward had unleashed a thunderous shot.
Kamou Malo, the Burkina Faso head coach, reacted by making changes as the experienced tactician introduced Sakaria Sanogo and Ismahila Ouedraogo in the 69th minute as the Stallions looked to hold on to their slender lead.
The attack-minded duo of Ryan Mendes and Lisandro Semedo were then introduced by Cape Verde head coach Pedro Brito Bubista with the Blue Sharks pushing for a late equalising goal.
However, the last chance of the game fell for Mohamed Konate, who beat his marker in the box, but his tame shot was easily saved by Vozinha and the match ended in a 1-0 win in favour of Burkina Faso.
Cape Verde (0) 0
Burkina Faso (1) 1 (Bande 39′)
Cape Verde: Vozinha; Stopira, Lopes, S.Fortes (L.Semedo 82′), Andrade (Mendes 73′), Dos Santos (W.Semedo 69′), Rocha Santos, J.Fortes, Monteiro, J.Tavares, Rodrigues.
Burkina Faso: Koffi, Yago, Kabore, Dayo, E.Tapsoba, Toure, Sangare (Ouedraogo 69′), Guira, Bayala (Konate 78′), A.Tapsoba (Z.Sanogo 69′), Bande (Nikiema 90’+1).
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