AFCON 2025: Burkina Faso seal second spot in Group E as Algeria remain perfect

West African side Burkina Faso battled hard to secure a 2-0 victory over their East Africa counterparts Sudan in a match played at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca even as both teams booked a place in the round of 16.

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Going into the match, both teams had three points having secured a win each over Equatorial Guinea and suffered defeats to Algeria.

With both teams tied on points, the match was going to decide the second placed team after Algeria on head to head basis.

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Burkina Faso began the match the brighter side, exchanging some short, quick passes, dominating the midfield while launching attacks through the wings.

By the 10th minute, Burkina Faso were the better side with Sudan forced to sit deep in their own half and defend their goal.

The match’s first big moment came in the 16th minute when Lassina Traore leaped to connect with a delightful cross from Stephane Aziz and placed his header inside the left post with goalkeeper Mohamed Abooja well beaten.

The goal rattled Sudan who then came out to push for an equalizer, and got a golden opportunity in the 23rd minute when they were awarded a penalty following a dangerous play by Hervi Koffi.

Unfortunately for the Sudanese, Al Gozoli Nooh stepped forward to take the penalty and shot wide off the left post.

The next chance still fell to Sudan in the 36th minute, but Yadir Mozamil wasted a golden opportunity to draw scores level as he shot wide after connecting to a cross in the box.

After surviving the two scares, Burkina Faso tightened their backline and were able to hold on to their lead until half time.

In the second half, Burkina Faso who began the half as the better side thought that they got a penalty in the 51st minute for a foul inside the box but referee Amin Omar waved play on.

Sudan’s Aamir Abdalla later wasted a chance in the 58th minute as he slipped the ball wide of the left post after collecting a pass on the edge of the box.

The battle was centered in midfield as both teams were aiming at controlling the tempo with the next chance falling on Sudan once again but Nooh directed his strike straight at the goalkeeper in the 70th minute.

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Sudan were later made to pay for their misses, as Burkina Faso doubled their lead in the 85th minute.

Arsene Kouassi received a delightful pass from second half substitute Outarra Dango and smashed a low shot into the bottom left corner to kill off the game.

Burkina Faso then produced a professional performance for the rest of the match that allowed them to protect their lead and secure the three points.

Burkina Faso now join Algeria as group E’s representatives in the round of 16, with Sudan qualifying as third in the third-placed rankings.

In Rabat, table-toppers Algeria cruised to a 3-1 win over Equatorial Guinea, thanks to three first half goals by Zineddine Belaid, Fares Chaibi and Ibrahim Maza.

Equatorial Guinea, who finished bottom without a point, grabbed their consolation through Emilio Nsue five minutes after the break.