Burkina Faso seal their AFCON 2025 knockout ambitions with a composed 2–0 victory over Sudan, capitalising on missed chances and late pressure to claim all three points.
The Stallions took control early despite a stop-start opening marked by several injury delays. Their dominance paid off in the 16th minute when Lassina Traoré rose highest to head home from close range after a well-delivered assist from Stéphane Aziz Ki.
Sudan were handed a golden opportunity to respond midway through the first half when Al Gozoli Nooh was fouled in the penalty area by goalkeeper Hervé Koffi. However, the forward squandered the chance, dragging his spot-kick narrowly wide a miss that proved costly.
Burkina Faso remained organised and disciplined, limiting Sudan to half-chances before the break, while goalkeeper Mohamed Abooja was forced into action to deny Georgi Minoungou shortly after halftime.
Sudan pushed harder in the second period, creating pressure through set-pieces and crosses, but lacked the cutting edge in the final third. John Mano and Aamir Abdallah both went close, only to miss the target under pressure.
As Sudan committed bodies forward in search of an equaliser, Burkina Faso struck decisively on the counter. In the 85th minute, substitute Dango Ouattara broke down the flank and squared for Arsène Kouassi, who finished calmly into the bottom corner to seal the result.
Despite the loss, both teams have qualified for the round of 16
