Burkina Faso have not only secured their TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final place, but they officially become the first African nation to book their ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The West Africans edged an already wounded Egypt 2-1 on Thursday evening to book their place in the knockout stages and FIFA World Cup finals with a game to spare.
Burkina Faso’s qualification is as a result of their opening Group A 2-1 win over Cameroon on Monday, accompanied by today’s victory which came courtesy of goals by Issouf Dabo and the on-form Asharaf Tabsoba.
Following a cagey start to the encounter, it was Burkina Faso who found the lead towards the closing stages of the first half thanks to Dabo’s opener in the 41st minute.
Coming back from the break, the North Africans surged forward but could not break what was a well organised Burkinabe back four.
Tabsoba, who put up yet another stunning performance capped it off with a goal in the 69th minute to stretch the lead for his side.
The second goal did not deter the Egyptians who continued searching for the confidence boosting goal, which came in the 78th minute courtesy of Belal Ateya’s strike.
The goal set up a highly tense close to the tie, with Egypt desperate for the equaliser, while Burkina Faso remained resolute with qualification well in sight.
The match concluded 2-1 in favour of Burkina Faso who make it two wins out of two to advance to the next round and the FIFA World Cup with a game to spare against South Africa.
Egypt will face Cameroon who are on one point following their draw against South Africa in the afternoon in what will be a highly tense encounter for a best third place finish between the two sides.
Credit: CAF
Related
