Burkina Faso clinched qualification to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday and Cape Verde are very close to securing their ticket to the finals in Ivory Coast after both teams earned positive results in Group B action from qualifying. Togo once again threatened frequently against the Stallions of Burkina Faso but could only managed a 1-1 draw in the Togolese capital of Lomé. In South Africa it was Cape Verde who came out on top by a 1-0 score over Eswatini, moving the Blue Sharks to seven points and three points back of group leaders Burkina Faso while Togo and Eswatini each have two points.
Cape Verde and Eswatini fought hard in an even match played in Mbombela, South Africa due to the lack of a suitable home venue for Eswatini. The visitors from Cape Verde found a match winner early in the second half through veteran forward Ryan Mendes, whose goal stood thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Vozinha.
Burkina Faso came out on top in a narrow 1-0 victory last week against Togo and once again the Togolese challenged fiercely in an attempt to save their disappointing qualifying campaign. Dango Ouattara opened the scoring in the 12th minute when he finished a rebound after Togo goalkeeper Wassiou Ouro-Gneni saved an initial shot from Bertrand Traoré. Togo talisman Kodjo Laba equalized in the 26th minute but Les Éperviers could not find the second goal they needed against Les Étalons.
Highlights from the draw between Togo and Burkina Faso are below.
Scores
Eswatini 0-1 Cape Verde
Togo 1-1 Burkina Faso
Highlights
Togo 1-1 Burkina Faso
