Burkina Faso registered their first Group A Africa Cup of Nations victory against Cape Verde after they emerged 1-0 winners on Thursday at Olembe Stadium.
Boureima Bande’s goal in the first half handed The Stallions the win that puts them on par with Cape Verde, who opened the campaign with a win against Ethiopia.
Gustavo Sangare had a wonderful chance to put Burkina Faso ahead, but Roberto Lopes did a marvellous job by blocking the goal-bound ball for a corner as the game started at a high tempo.
Sangare had another opportunity to break the deadlock from a free-kick just outside the box, but Cape Verde’s goalkeeper, Josimar Dias, did well to parry the ball out from the powerfully taken set-piece in the 14th minute.
Cape Verde won a free-kick in the 23rd minute when Kenny Rocha – who was fast surging forward – was brought down by Kabore, but Jamiron Gregory’s delivery flew just above the bar by inches.
Issa Kabore – who had given away a number of free-kicks – won Burkina Faso one at the edge of the box when he was tripped by Dylan Dos Santos.
Steve Yago took the set-piece and placed the ball just in front of Sangare, who could not find a way past the crowded area as Cape Verde eventually cleared their area.
Burkina Faso’s hard work was rewarded in the 38th minute when they took the lead courtesy of Bande’s chested effort.
Kabore – who was hitherto a thorn in Cape Verde’s flesh – delivered a pinpoint cross from the left-wing and Bande met it with his chest to break the deadlock in favour of the away side.
Cape Verde launched a swift counter-attack in the 50th minute, but they did not harvest anything from it as Rodrigues launched a timid final shot that Kouakou Koffi, in Burkina Faso’s goal, had no trouble collecting.
Rocha spotted Koffi off his line and attempted to volley the ball over the custodian, who fortunately managed to retreat and parry the ball for a corner in the 58th minute. Ianique Tavares came close to equalising, from the corner, but his header bounced and went out over the bar as Cape Verde persistently attacked.
Rocha – after he was spotted by Tavares in open space – was denied again at the hour mark when his powerful low drive from the right-hand side of the Burkina Faso penalty area was stopped by Koffi.
Cape Verde’s dominance in the closing 20 minutes could not alter the scoreline as they lost their second matchday game to a side that was defeated in their opening game against the hosts, Cameroon.
From goal.com