Burkina Faso confirmed their place in the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a controlled 2-0 victory over Sudan at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca. The Stallions needed a positive result to secure second place in Group E behind Algeria, and they delivered with authority in a match that had been billed as decisive by SoftFootball ahead of kick-off.
Having already lost narrowly to Algeria earlier in the group, Burkina Faso knew finishing second would spare them the uncertainty of third-place qualification. That context followed their earlier Group E storyline, where Algeria edged past them to seal the top spot, leaving Brama Traoré’s side needing to take care of business against Sudan.
Burkina Faso started with intent and broke the deadlock in the 16th minute through Lassina Traoré. A high press forced a turnover in Sudan’s half, and Stéphane Aziz Ki’s shot-cum-cross found Traoré unmarked at the back post. The striker made no mistake, nodding home his 13th international goal to reward the Stallions’ early dominance.
Sudan were handed a route back into the contest midway through the first half when John Mano slipped between defender and goalkeeper, drawing a foul from Hervé Koffi.
However, Al Gozoli Nooh dragged the resulting penalty wide, a miss that proved costly. Sudan briefly gained belief after that moment, with Yasir Mozamil going close from inside the box, but they could not find an equaliser before the break.
The second half was more balanced, with Sudan pushing forward in search of a response. Aamir Abdallah fired narrowly wide, while Nooh again threatened from a tight angle, only to be denied by Koffi. Burkina Faso remained patient and disciplined, absorbing pressure and waiting for their chance to strike.
CAF shared a video on their official X account capturing Burkina Faso striker Lassina Traoré’s celebration after heading in the opening goal against Sudan, securing their knockout stage berth.
Watch the video below:
That moment arrived in the 85th minute. A swift counter-attack led by Dango Ouattara opened up space, and his composed through ball allowed Arsène Kouassi to apply the finish from inside the area, effectively ending the contest.
The win confirmed Burkina Faso’s fourth straight AFCON last-16 appearance, finishing second in Group E behind Algeria. Sudan, despite the defeat, remained hopeful of progressing as a third-placed side, with their final fate dependent on results elsewhere.
