Ivory Coast – after some problems – beat Zambia 2-0 thanks to two Krasso’s goal, while Senegal opted to defend the lead Mane brought them in the 16th minute and fell short in the added time when Bouda equalized and brought a point to Burkina Faso – 1-1!##NAJAVA_MECA_8318872##Earlier today, in the other Group G match, Sierra Leone and Chad drew 0-0, so the eventual win would give either of tonight’s opponents a head start. Interestingly, these two teams were in the same group in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, and each team won their home game – Ivory Coast 3-1 and Zambia 3-0.During the initial half an hour – although an underdog – Zambia played very well and didn’t let the home team dominate the game and set their own style. The Elephants missed the best chance of the first half in the 31st minute, when Man United’s Amad Diallo sent the ball into the stands from close-range after Simon Adingra’s ideal cross. Still, that was nowhere near enough for the lead at the break.Jean-Philippe Krasso scores! pic.twitter.com/8LD9uz4aSp— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) September 6, 2024 The 60th minute brought almost the exact goal-scoring chance to Ivory Coast, but the outcome was the same – a terrible close-range miss. Only this time, Christopher Operi crossed the ball, and Oumar Diakite failed to find the net. Still, the champions of Africa finally broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute after a rare counterattack. Zambia’s defence was not prepared, and the Elephants used it as best as possible. Adingra found Jean-Philippe Krasso in the box with a superb pass, and the forward unleashed a powerful strike, making it 1-0!After this goal, it was much easier for Ivory Coast to play, whereas the Copper Bullets had to open and chase the equalizer. When the Paris FC player completed a brace and made it 2-0, the celebration in Bouake could start! Another Krasso’s goal from inside the box and another powerful strike that deflected off the crossbar into the net – 2-0!2025 AFCONQ: Harambee Stars scoring problem persists as Zimbabwe force barren draw in openerOn the other hand, Senegal’s recent form and this national team’s reputation made the Lions of Teranga firm favourites tonight. Moreover, Burkina Faso never beat Senegal in their five duels (three draws and two Senegal wins). The first Group L clash was already played yesterday when Burundi upset Malawi in Lilongwe 3-2.Sadio Mane scores the first goal for Senegal 🇸🇳 #Senegal pic.twitter.com/kmZLrdgbiP— أخــر الأخـبــار (@latestnews2026) September 6, 2024 The home team took the lead in the 16th minute after a huge mistake. The Burkina Faso defender lost the ball, being the closest to his goal, thus opening Sadio Mane a highway to the goal. The Al Nassr forward, of course, accepted the gift and made it 1-0! That turned out to be the only notable moment in the first 45 minutes. The Stallions’ lack of offensive creativity significantly eased Senegal’s task of keeping the advantage. Had Mane been more concentrated, the Lions of Teranga could have had a more convincing lead already at the break.The advantage enabled Senegal to play much calmer in the second half and wait for the opportunities without rushing. Aliou Cisse made several subs in order to keep his team fresh, although the Lions of Teranga significantly slowed the rhythm down. Burkina Faso had to go for the leveller, but the quality of the home team’s squad kept the scoresheet unchanged.And then in the dying minutes, in the last minute of added time, the away team shocked 50.000 home fans! Burkina Faso scored from the last chance of the game! Ousmane Camara sent the ball into the box from a free kick and Ousseni Bouda used the confusion among the Senegalese and levelled the score – 1-1!Although Senegal had the early lead, while Ivory Coast suffered until the ultimate 15 minutes of the clash against Zambia, in the end, the Elephants were the only ones to celebrate. The lost two points – and in this manner – will represent a huge blow for Cisse’s squad’s ambitions. Still, there is a long way in front of every team keen on qualifying for the AFCON 2025.AFCON 2025 – QUALIFIERSFridayKenya – Zimbabwe 0-0S. Africa – Uganda 2-2 (1-0)/Foster 14, Mbatha 90+5 – Omedi 51, Mato 54/Togo – Liberia 1-1 (0-0)/Denkey 79 – Gibson 90+2/Dr Congo – Guinea 1-0 (1-0)/Kayembe E. 27/Sierra Leone – Chad 0-0Morocco – Gabon 4-1 (2-1)/Ziyech 9 pen, 26 pen, Diaz 59, El Kaabi 82 – Aubameyang 40 pen/Egypt – Cape Verde 3-0 (2-0)/Rabia 23, Marmoush 45+1, Adel 70/Ivory Coast – Zambia 2-0 (0-0)/Krasso 73, 84/Senegal – Burkina Faso 1-1 (1-0)/Mane 16 – Bouda 90+5/Mali – Mozambique 1-1 (0-1)/Bissouma 52 – Catamo 37/
