PHOTO/AFCON 2023
An own goal from Edmond Tapsoba and a second half striker from Lassine Sinayoko saw Mali edge out Burkina Faso 2-1 and make the quarter finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time since 2013 when they clinched bronze.Bertrand Traore’s second half penalty, his third of the tournament wasn’t enough to engineer a comeback for Burkina’s Stallions, as they failed to replicate their performance from Cameroon 2021 when they reached the semis.Mali had the perfect start and got into the lead after just three minutes when Sinayoko scored a bizarre own goal as he tried to cut out a cross from the right.Les Aigles needed just a minute into the second half to double their advantage, Sinayoko squeezing the ball between the keeper’s legs after some good build up that started way back from the keeper, ending in Hamari Traore sending Sinayoko through on the right.Burkina scored from the spot 10 minutes later, Traore converting after the VAR awarded them a penalty for a handball inside the box, raising some hope for a comeback.Burkina Faso almost grabbed a late equalizer from Issoufou Dayo headed in from a freekick, but the goal was chalked off for offside, with VAR confirming the same.Mali will now take on hosts Ivory Coast in the quarters, Les Elephants beaming in confidence after eliminating defending champions Senegal on Monday.
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