Arsene Kouassi delivered a late knockout blow to Sudan as Burkina Faso wrapped up a confident 2-0 win to seal second place in Group E at AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
The forward came off the bench to score five minutes from time, capping a composed team performance and earning recognition as Man of the Match for his decisive impact in Casablanca.
Burkina Faso started on the front foot and were rewarded early when Lassina Traoré rose highest at a 16th-minute corner to power a header beyond the Sudan goalkeeper for 1-0. Sudan had a golden chance to respond from the spot after Hervé Koffi conceded a penalty, but Al Gozoli Nooh dragged his kick just wide, a miss that seemed to sap their momentum.
Sudan pushed forward after the break, with Yasir Mozamil and Nooh both trying to find a way back into the match, only for Koffi and the Burkinabe defence to stand firm.
As Sudan committed players forward, spaces opened up, and Burkina Faso struck again when Kouassi timed his run perfectly and coolly finished from close range to seal the points.
His composed cameo, combining clever movement, tireless pressing, and the clinching goal, made him the standout performer and a worthy Man of the Match.
