Sunday, January 23
•Burkina Faso (7)1-1(6) Gabon
Burkina Faso needed penalties to knockout Gabon and reach the quarterfinals of the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
In an eventful affair, Bertrand Traore put Burkinabe in front after missing a penalty earlier, Gabon saw Sidney Mboumin Obissa sent off before finding a late equaliser.
And Gabon held on in extra time to send the game into shootouts.
In penalties, Gabon’s Lloyd Palun hit the crossbar before Ismahila Quedraogo converted his decisive kick to send Burkina Faso into wild celebrations.
Gabon sunk in agony but they had given it their all and will leave Cameroon with heads high after a spirited show at the Limbe Stadium.
Gabon Go Down Fighting
Burkina Faso won a penalty when Issa Kabore was brought down in the box by Sidney Mboumini Obissa but Traore sent his penalty into the crossbar.
But the Aston Villa forward later made for his penalty miss to score a beauty.
He was released by Soumaïla Ouattara, and with a keeper to beat, he showed class and composure this time to slot past the on rushing goalie and his effort kissed onto the bottom post and into the back of the net.
Traore ran madly and jumped over the billboards to celebrate with the fans, with his joy a big sign of relief after his penalty miss and heavy armband. This is the striker’s first goal at the tournament!
Aaron Boupendza thought he had levelled matters for Gabon but his goal was ruled out for offside. He had beaten his man but not the offside trap.
The tie looked all but over when
Red Card Sidney Mboumin was sent off for pulling Dango Ouattara, and Burkina Faso missed a couple of chances to extend there lead later on.
But there were made to rue missed opportunities when Adama Guira headed into his own net in injury time!
Gabon, playing without influential captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, held on in extra time where nothing could separate both sides for the game to necessitate penalties.
