ABIDJAN: Bertrand Traore scored a stoppage time penalty as Burkina Faso claimed a 1-0 victory over Mauritania in their Africa Cup of Nations Group ‘D’ clash at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake on Tuesday, writing a piece of history in the process.
It is the first ever win for the Burkinabe in their opening match of the Africa showpiece finals and came at the 13th attempt, handed to them when Aston Villa midfielder Traore stroked home his spot-kick after a foul by Mauritania captain Mohamed El Abd on Issa Kabore.
Burkina Faso dominated possession, but it was Mauritania who carved out the better chances, though they were denied by the excellent reflexes of goalkeeper Herve Koffi and will feel aggrieved not to have got something from the game having conceded in the 96th minute.
Burkina Faso head the pool with their three points after the first round of matches. Fancied Algeria were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by Angola on Monday, when Cameroon were also held.
Algeria, who won the title in 2019, became the latest major nation to fail to win their opening game after Cameroon, Nigeria, Egypt and Ghana, as they were held by Angola in Bouake.
Baghdad Bounedjah gave Algeria the lead after 18 minutes in Ivory Coast’s second city, and the striker then had a stunning second goal disallowed for a tight offside call soon after.
Angola equalised through a Mabululu penalty midway through the second half, although they have now failed to win any of their last nine matches at the Cup of Nations, stretching back to 2012.
Cameroon, champions in 2017, had to come from behind to draw 1-1 with 10-man Guinea in Group ‘C’, with Frank Magri equalising for Cameroon early in the second half.
Guinea had taken an early lead through Mohamed Bayo, who was leading their attack in the absence of the injured Serhou Guirassy, the striker enjoying a fine season in Germany with Stuttgart.
Cameroon, with Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana not in the team having not arrived in Ivory Coast until just before the match, were given a boost as Guinea’s Francois Kamano was sent off with half-time approaching.
Magri headed them level, but they could not find a winner in the sapping late afternoon heat.
Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2024