Burkina Faso score late goal to secure win over Tanzania at WAFCON
Balkissa Sawadogo scored the winning goal late in the match, capitalising in particular on a red card shown to the Twiga Stars early in the second half.
The updated Group B standings can be found here.
[h2]Burkina Faso capitalised before HT[/h2]Tanzania started strongly, with a huge chance right from kick-off. After receiving an aerial pass, captain Opah Clement Tukumbuke found herself one-on-one with Nina Dabilgou, but her shot was too high and sailed over the bar (43').
From 20 metres out, Donisia Minja aimed for the top right-hand corner with a direct free-kick, but the ball didn’t dip enough (9'). It wasn’t until Burkina Faso produced their first long-range shot on target, which was comfortably saved by Najat Idrisa (14').
Tanzania responded immediately. Following a cleared corner, Minja curled the ball towards the head of Ester Maseke, who had stayed forward; she beat Dabilgou to the ball but failed to connect properly with her header (17').
Burkina Faso responded immediately. Showing greater power in the challenge, Rasmata Sawadogo fought hard to deliver a cross, but Adama Congo completely missed her shot from point-blank range (18').
Hasnath Ubamba delivered a perfect aerial cross to the far post for Tukumbuke, who got the better of Stephanie Sow in the one-on-one. However, VAR intervened: the striker’s challenge and an accidental handball not only ruled out the opening goal but also earned the scorer a booking ('29).
And in the end, it was Burkina Faso who broke the deadlock.
After a failed interception by Violeth Mwamakamba, Adele Kabre pounced faster than Maseke and took advantage of Idrisa’s hesitant rush off her line to chip the ball over her (43').
In stoppage time, following another excellent pass from R. Sawadogo, her twin sister Balkissa Sawadogo had the chance to double the lead at her feet, but Idrisa made a crucial save (45’+3).
[h2]Costly red card for Tanzania[/h2]The Twiga Stars went through a rollercoaster of emotions in the second half. In an overzealous challenge whilst pressing, Ubamba caught Dabilgou’s calf with her foot. The VAR alerted the referee, who sent the Tanzanian off immediately (55').
Trailing and down to 10 players, they equalised from a set-piece. Spotted by Aisha Mnunka, Diana Msewa drew a foul 25 metres from the Burkinabe goal. Minja unleashed a powerful shot towards the top right-hand corner; although Dabilgou managed to tip it onto the crossbar, Mnunka was quickest to react and slotted the ball home (62').
However, the Etalons Dames still had time to retake the lead. And the Tanzanians’ nervousness almost gave them a huge boost. From a cross in from the right, Enekia Lunyamila cleared the ball straight into her teammate Julitha Singano, whose shot grazed the post (76').
It was a sign of things to come.
Less than five minutes later, after Juliette Nana had seen her shot blocked, B. Sawadogo found herself unmarked between the centre-backs and slotted home an unstoppable shot with the inside of her foot (80').
Flashscore Ratings’ match ratings.
The Twiga Stars had a chance to equalise but, after winning the aerial battle, Mnunka headed the ball back to Lunyamila, only for a defender to intervene just in time to clear the danger (88').
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