In a match marked by an insipid first half, both Zambia and Burkina Faso showed more enthusiasm in the second period at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. However, despite increased alertness, neither team managed to score the decisive goal, resulting in a 0-0 draw.
Under the threat of elimination, Zambia applied pressure on Burkina Faso’s defense, earning numerous fouls and corners. Emmanuel Mayuka and the Zambian attackers were imprecise in their attempts to score. Burkina Faso, playing without Alain Traoré since the 10th minute, struggled to find an offensive spark.
Jonathan Pitroipa, usually a skillful ball handler, was transparent in this match. The Stallions’ best chance came in the 80th minute when Charles Kaboré’s shot was blocked by a Zambian defender. Despite their efforts, Burkina Faso and Zambia ended the game in a goalless draw.
With Burkina Faso finishing first in Group C, they secured qualification for the quarter-finals. On the other hand, Zambia, the defending champion, was eliminated in the group stage. This marks the second time in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) that the defending champion has been eliminated at this stage, following Algeria in 1992. The race for a new champion is now underway.
