AFCON 2023 Q: Cape Verde book TotalEnergies AFCON ticket with win over Burkina Faso

In a thrilling match of the fifth round of qualifications, Cape Verde’s national football team emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over Burkina Faso, securing their qualification for the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations 2023 tournament set to be held in Ivory Coast. The match, held at the Estadio Nacional Praia in Cape Verde, showcased an impressive performance by the home team, earning them a well-deserved spot in the continental competition.

The opening minutes of the match witnessed an explosive start from Cape Verde. Bebé, a prominent player for the team, showcased his skill and precision as he unleashed a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, leaving the opposing goalkeeper with no chance of making a save. His goal in the 8th minute set the tone for Cape Verde’s dominance in the match.

Despite the early setback, Burkina Faso showed resilience and determination. In the 45+3rd minute, Issoufou Dayo managed to find the back of the net, equalizing the score just before halftime. This goal injected renewed energy into Burkina Faso’s performance, creating an intense battle on the field as both teams sought to gain the upper hand.

The second half witnessed Cape Verde’s determination to secure their qualification. In the 67th minute, João Paulo Fernandes delivered a crucial goal, putting Cape Verde back in the lead with a score of 2-1. The goal ignited a wave of excitement among the home fans and added pressure on Burkina Faso to respond.

As the match approached its conclusion, Cape Verde sealed their victory with a final goal in the 89th minute. Clé, who entered the game as a substitute for Ryan Mendes, found the back of the net, extending Cape Verde’s lead to 3-1. The goal was a testament to the team’s depth and determination to secure their qualification for the CAN 2023 tournament.

With this impressive victory, Cape Verde secured their qualification for the CAN 2023 tournament with one match remaining in the qualification stage. The win propelled Cape Verde to 10 points in the group standings, ensuring their spot in the prestigious competition. Burkina Faso, who had already qualified, leads the group with 10 points, while Togo sits in third place with 5 points and Eswatini in fourth with 3 points.