Burkina Faso earned their first ever point at the Africa Women Cup of Nations on Tuesday, playing Senegal to a 0-0 draw in Group A play. Both teams struggled to find the finishing touch and there were few clear opportunities throughout the ninety minutes but Senegal got the three points courtesy of a late penalty kick from Korka Fall. Senegal are the first team to clinch qualification for the knockout rounds and will face hosts Morocco in their final Group A match on Friday. Burkina Faso will need to defeat Uganda for any chance of progressing to the quarterfinals.
Competition debutants Burkina Faso proved they were in Morocco to compete in their 1-0 opening match defeat to the hosts and continued their positive momentum. Senegal found it difficult to break down the Stallions and nearly went down in the 15th minute when struggling to clear a Burkinabé corner kick, leading to a shot attempt that went wide of shot stopper Tenning Sene’s goal.
After a stalemate in the first half, Senegal had an excellent look to open the scoring in the 52nd minute. A corner kick from Haby Baldé was headed into the air beyond the far post where a wide open Meta Camara was waiting. However, Camara could not get the volley attempt under control and sent her shot far off target.
Senegal would find a breakthrough late in the match and the decisive moment came from the penalty spot in the 85th minute. Substitute forward Hapsatou Diallo took off on a dribbling run down the left wing and cut inside into the Burkinabé penalty area where she was bumped over by Burkina Faso’s Alimata Belem. A penalty kick was awarded and Fall stepped up to roll her spot kick in past Burkina Faso keeper Mariam Ouattara.
Highlights from the match are below.
