AFCON 2015: Burkina Faso Held to Goalless Draw by Equatorial Guinea
By BBC Sport Africa
Bata – 21 January 2015
Burkina Faso’s hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations suffered a major blow on Wednesday as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by tournament hosts Equatorial Guinea.
Needing a response after their opening defeat to Gabon, the Stallions dominated large spells of the match but failed to convert their chances in front of goal. Despite their best efforts, the 2013 runners-up now find themselves in a precarious position heading into their final Group A fixture.
Burkina Faso started brightly, taking control of the midfield and creating several opportunities in the first half. Alain Traoré came closest to breaking the deadlock when his curling effort struck the post, while his brother Bertrand Traoré and striker Aristide Bancé both went close but couldn’t find a breakthrough.
Despite the Stallions’ pressure, Equatorial Guinea held firm. Backed by a passionate home crowd, they frustrated their opponents and managed to launch a few threatening counterattacks of their own. Substitute Kike Doualla nearly shocked Burkina Faso with a late effort that was narrowly off target.
Much was expected from Jonathan Pitroipa, the team’s creative leader, but the winger struggled to influence the game, and Burkina Faso’s attacking trio found it difficult to break down a resilient Nzalang Nacional defence.
Coach Paul Put will now have to rally his side for their final group match against Congo on 25 January, knowing that only a win will give them any hope of progressing. Even then, qualification to the quarter-finals is far from certain and will depend on results elsewhere.
Burkina Faso, who captured hearts during their remarkable run to the final two years ago, are in real danger of crashing out at the group stage.
Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea, who now have two points from two matches, remain in contention for a place in the knockout round and will face Gabon next in a decisive Central African derby.
