In a breathtaking finale at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, Edmond Tapsoba headed a 98th-minute winner to complete a stunning injury-time comeback for Burkina Faso against Equatorial Guinea in their Africa Cup of Nations Group E opener.
A Dominant First Half Without Reward
The Stallions of Burkina Faso controlled proceedings from the outset, with Premier League attackers Bertrand Traoré and Dango Ouattara proving a constant menace on the wings. Despite creating several promising opportunities, they were unable to find a breakthrough before the interval, leaving the match goalless at half-time.
Red Card and Rising Pressure
The match's momentum shifted decisively just five minutes into the second half. Equatorial Guinea defender Basilio Ndong was shown a red card following a VAR review of his clumsy challenge on Traoré. Playing against ten men, Burkina Faso intensified their assault, with goalkeeper Jesús Owono making a crucial save from Ouattara. The pressure seemed to have told when substitute Lassina Traoré found the net in the 71st minute, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.
Against the run of play, Equatorial Guinea then snatched a dramatic lead with just five minutes of normal time remaining. Marvin Anieboh powered home a firm header from Carlos Akapo's corner, putting the underdogs on the brink of a famous victory.
The Incredible Stoppage-Time Turnaround
Just as the match appeared lost, Burkina Faso summoned a remarkable response deep into added time. First, substitute Georgi Minoungou levelled the scores in the 95th minute, finishing after a mazy run and cut-back from Ouattara. Then, with the clock showing 98 minutes, Leverkusen defender Tapsoba rose highest to nod home the winner after Owono could only parry Cyriaque Irié's cross, sealing a 2-1 victory and sending the Burkinabe fans into raptures.
The result marks a dramatic start to Group E, where Algeria and Sudan are also set to compete. In the day's other fixtures, Group F will see Côte d’Ivoire take on Mozambique and Cameroon meet Gabon.
