Burkina Faso were held to a frustrating goalless draw (0-0) by Uganda on Wednesday evening in Ouagadougou, suffering an early setback in Group B of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Absent from the 2019 AFCON finals in Egypt, the Stallions were eager to make a strong start to their new qualifying campaign in front of their home crowd. Under the guidance of newly appointed local coach Kamou Malo, Burkina Faso began the match with intensity and nearly found the breakthrough within the opening minutes. In the 5th minute, they struck the post, narrowly missing the chance to take an early lead.
Despite their promising start, the hosts struggled to maintain sustained pressure. Captain Charles Kaboré and his teammates dominated possession at times but lacked sharpness in the final third. Uganda, well organized defensively, absorbed the pressure and limited clear-cut opportunities for the Burkinabè attack.
As the match progressed, chances became increasingly rare. The Stallions pushed forward but found it difficult to break through Uganda’s disciplined defensive block. Their best opportunity of the second half came late in the game when Alain Traoré attempted to surprise the Ugandan goalkeeper in the 84th minute, but his effort failed to hit the target.
Uganda, on the other hand, appeared content to defend deep and play on the counterattack. The Cranes showed resilience and tactical discipline, successfully frustrating the home side throughout the encounter. For coach Johnny McKinstry, the young Northern Irish manager, the result represents a solid and encouraging start to his tenure at the helm of the Ugandan national team.
The stalemate ultimately cost Burkina Faso the chance to claim an early advantage in the group standings. Earlier in the day, Malawi secured a narrow 1-0 victory over South Sudan, allowing the Flames to take provisional first place in Group B. The dropped points leave the Stallions already playing catch-up in what could prove to be a tightly contested group.
For Kamou Malo and his squad, improvements will be needed in attacking efficiency if they hope to secure qualification. While their defensive solidity remains intact, the lack of creativity and finishing in front of goal will be a concern moving forward.
Burkina Faso will now look to bounce back quickly in their next fixture, knowing that every point will be crucial in the race to secure one of the qualifying spots for the tournament in Cameroon.
