AFCON 2023: Mali soar over Burkina Faso's Stallions to book quarters slot
Mali's decisive victory over Burkina Faso not only secures their spot in the quarterfinals but also reshapes the tournament's dynamics.
In a thrilling encounter at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo, Mali's national football team, known as "The Eagles," soared over Burkina Faso's "Stallions" in the AFCON 2023 Round of 16 clash.
The game marked a significant milestone for Mali, breaking their Round of 16 curse dating back to 2013.
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The match began with a bang as Mali seized control early on, capitalizing on defensive lapses from Burkina Faso. Just two minutes into the game, Amadou Haidara's powerful header rattled the post before Burkina Faso's Edmond Tapsoba inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net, giving Mali an early lead.
Mali's dominance continued throughout the first half, with chances coming thick and fast. Burkina Faso struggled to contain Mali's attacking prowess, as Lassine Sinayoko doubled the lead shortly after the halftime break.
Despite facing a two-goal deficit, Burkina Faso showed resilience and clawed their way back into the game when Boubacar Kouyate's handball in the box led to a penalty, expertly converted by Bertrand Traore.
As the game intensified, both teams grew stronger, with Mali maintaining their lead despite Burkina Faso's late surge. Despite Burkina Faso's efforts, including a disallowed goal in the dying minutes, Mali held on to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory.
𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐃! ✅
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) January 30, 2024
The Eagles are through to the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 quarter-finals! 🇲🇱 pic.twitter.com/8DHfCS0Iju
With this win, Mali advances to the quarterfinals where they will face hosts Ivory Coast, marking a significant opportunity for Mali to continue their journey in the tournament. Burkina Faso, on the other hand, bows out of the competition, reflecting on what might have been after a valiant effort.
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