In the opening match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d'Ivoire 2023, Burkina Faso secured a late victory against Mauritania, earning all three crucial points.
Despite Mauritania's solid performance and promising chances in the first half, Burkina Faso's goalkeeper Havre Koffi played a pivotal role in keeping the Stallions' defense intact.
Manager Hubert Velud made a strategic substitution, bringing on Bertrand Traore for Cedric Badolo to bolster the team's attacking prowess.
Traore, showcasing his skill, nearly scored with a curled shot from the penalty box, but goalkeeper Babacar Niasse made a crucial save.
The turning point came when Issa Kabore was fouled in the box during the closing stages of the game, leading to a penalty for Burkina Faso after a VAR review.
Substitute Bertrand Traore confidently stepped up to take the penalty and successfully converted, securing all three points for Burkina Faso and setting a positive tone for their tournament.
With this victory, Burkina Faso is now gearing up for their upcoming match against Algeria on January 20, aiming to maintain their momentum in the competition.
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