Burkina Faso finish 2nd in Group A despite Ethiopia draw

Burkina Faso have qualified to the knockout phase of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations despite the 1-1 draw against Ethiopia in the final Group A match played at the Stade Omnisports de Bafoussam on Monday.

The Stallions were looking for a win that would see them qualify automatically having collected 3 points in the recent victory over Cape Verde.

A draw was still good enough for them as they were guaranteed to finish second depending on the results from the other game involving Cape Verde and Cameroon.

It was Burkina Faso who took the lead with Cyrille Bayala finding the back of the net after being put through on goal by Adama Guira. The Ajaccio Midfielder gave goalkeeper Balcha no chance with a well taken left-footed shot and register his first goal of the tournament.

Burkina Faso went into the break with a goal to the good.

A huge team talk by Ethiopian Coach Abate Wubetu during the interval seemed to have worked as the Ibex came charging in the second half.

The pressure earned them a penalty after defender Steeve Yago handled the ball in the box. The skipper of the side Getaneh Kebede slotted home the penalty to put Ethiopia back on level terms.

With that goal, Burkina Faso coach Kamau Malo was keeping keen eyes on the other Group A match between Cameroon and Cape Verde.

Both sides had chances to score the winner late on in the game but none could find the breakthrough.

The Stallions of Burkina Faso managed to go through as runners up in Group A on the head to head rule ahead of Cape Verde whom they beat, with both teams having 4 points.

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