AFCON 2021: Burkina Faso Defeat Gabon To Advance To R16, After Dramatic Shoot-Out

Burkina Foso have become the first team to book their ticket to the quater finals of the AFCON 2021 after a (7-6) penalty win over Gabon.

The encounter finished one – all in regular playing time and Gabon had a man sent with Burkina Faso going on to take the victory in the lottery of penalties.

Burkina Faso started on a bright note.
Right back Issa Kaboré in one of his runs down the right was pulled back by
Edmond Tapsoba, and the referee adjudged it to be a penalty.

Burkina Faso skipper Bertrand Traore stepped up and gave Anonome the eyes but his shot unfortunately hit the bar and was cleared eventually.

Bertrand Traore had a chance to make amends minutes later and he took it with both hands.

Goalkeeper Anonome was caught in no man’s land after a superb through ball from the outside of the boot by Dango Ouattara. Traore rolled the ball with his in – step and got lucky this time, as it had a kind kiss off the bar to go in for 1-0 (28th minute).

Gabon from there started peppering the Stallions and looked like they were going to equalise only in a matter of time.

Johann Obiang spotted goalkeeper Koffi off his line, and tried a 30 yard lob but the keeper managed to grab the ball on a second attempt, midway

With 42 minutes in, Aaron Boupendza ran towards the left to celebrate what he thought was his third of the tournament, but the assistant referee had his flag raised.

Burkina relied on the counter and Gabon were not taking no for an answer.

Dango Outtara was dispossessed in his half at the 64th minute but Poko and a queue of Gabonese players couldn’t take the shot on.

Gabon’s chances of an equaliser dropped drastically when Sidney Obissa, already on a yellow, sheepishly pulled back Outtara on a Burkina Faso counter.

Bertrand Traore was all alone atop The attack line. Troare pulled off a brilliant stop from Anonome at the 74th minute before eventually getting injured and substituted.

Gabon finally scored their equaliser via their skipper, Ecuele Manga, at (90+1). It was a perfectly struck penalty that came in as a surprise, with the Burkinabe defense unsettled. Ecuele Manga’s header took the game to extra time.

In the first half of extra time, the Panthers were subdued as Burkina Faso looked to take advantage of the 10 – man Gabon.

Two second half substitutes: Sanogo and Tapsoba combined to score a goal that was ruled offside at the 101 minute for Burkina Faso.

Tapsoba once more had a clear goal scoring chance in the earlier stages of the second half in extra time, but Anonome provided a cat-like stop to keep the winger out.

Off it went to the lottery of penalties;

Poko

-Bouanga scores for Burkina Faso.
Kaboré scores for Gabon

-Méyé scores for Burkina Faso.
Ouattara scores for Gabon

-Boupendza scores for Gabon
Tapsoba scores for Burkina Faso.

-Kanga misses his shot for Gabon
Simporé also misses his attempt for Burkina Faso.

-Singaré notes for Burkina Faso
Poko notes for Gabon

-Gabon goal by Manga
Guira scores for Burkina Faso.

-Autchanga scores for Gabon
Konaté scores for Burkina Faso

-Yannis N’Gakoutou misses for Gabon
Tapsoba also misses his shot. (Gabon 6-7 Burkina Faso).