Wed Dec 31 18:26:55 UTC 2025: Burkina Faso Secures Second Place in Group E, Sudan Faces Tough Senegal Clash
Casablanca, Morocco – Burkina Faso clinched second place in Group E of the Africa Cup of Nations with a decisive 2-0 victory over Sudan on Wednesday. Lassina Traore’s early goal and a late strike from Arsene Kouassi secured the win for the Stallions at the Mohammed V Stadium.
Sudan, despite the loss, will advance to the last 16 as one of the best third-placed teams, but face a daunting task against reigning champions Senegal. Algozoli Nooh missed a crucial penalty opportunity for Sudan in the first half, a setback they were unable to recover from.
Traore opened the scoring for Burkina Faso with a header in the 16th minute, while Kouassi sealed the victory with a late goal in the 85th minute.
Burkina Faso will now travel to Marrakesh for a last-16 encounter against the winner of Group F. Sudan, ranked 117th globally, faces a monumental challenge against Sadio Mane’s Senegal in Tangier on Saturday.
Meanwhile, in Rabat, Algeria defeated Equatorial Guinea 3-1. Zineddine Belaid, Fares Chaibi, and Ibrahim Maza found the net for the two-time former champions, securing a perfect group stage record. Emilio Nsue scored for Equatorial Guinea.
Algeria, already assured of their place in the knockout stage, will face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last 16 on Tuesday.
First Piper 