2023 AFCON: Algeria v Burkina Faso report

The first match on day eight of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations saw Algeria play out to an entertaining 2-2 draw with Burkina Faso at the Stade de la Paix.

Date: 20 January 2024

Algeria (0) 2 (Bounedjah 51′, 90+5′)

Burkina Faso (1) 2 (Konate 45+3′, Traore 71′ PEN)

Algeria: A. Mandrea, Y. Atal, A. Mandi, R. Bensebaini, R. Ait-Nouri, N. Bentaleb (I. Slimani 81′), R. Mahrez (A. Ounas 74′), R. Zerrouki, Y. Belaili (F. Chaibi 74′), S. Feghouli (M. Amoura 46′), B. Bounedjah.

Burkina Faso: H. Koffi, A. Nagalo (N. Djiga 84′), I. Dayo, E. Tapsoba, S. Yago, A. Guira (I. Ouedraogo 39′), B. Toure, I. Kabore, A. Tapsoba (C. Badolo 84′), G. Sangare (D. Salou 84′), M. Konate (B. Traore 64′).

First 45′: The Fennec Foxes had the lion’s share of the possession in the first half and they created some good chances, with Youcef Belaili and Baghdad Bounedjah forcing fine saves out of Herve Koffi with their respective shots in the opening half hour. But the Stallions hit the front on the stroke of half-time when Mohamed Konate headed home Abdoul Tapsoba’s clipped ball. The assistant referee had flagged the goal offside, although VAR intervened to let it stand.

Second 45′: Djamel Belmadi’s side wasted little time in finding a response as Bounedjah scored on the rebound from close range in the 51st minute after Koffi had saved Nabil Bentaleb’s initial shot following a blocked free-kick. As in their opening match against Angola, Algeria would concede another penalty when Issa Kabore was brought down by Rayan Ait-Nouri inside the box on 66 minutes. Bertrand Traore kept his cool from the spot once more as he sent Anthony Mandrea the wrong way to restore Burkina Faso’s lead. There was late drama to come though, when Bounedjah beat Koffi was a header in the 95th minute to clinch a crucial point for the North Africans.

What the result means: The Stallions remain at the top of Group D on four points, with the Fennec Foxes climbing above the Black Sable Antelopes into second place, two behind the leaders.

What’s next: Burkina Faso take on Angola at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro on Tuesday, January 23, while Algeria lock horns with Mauritania at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake at the same time.