CASABLANCA-(MaraviPost)-The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations produced early fireworks in Group E as Burkina Faso faced Equatorial Guinea in a dramatic encounter that lived up to the tournament’s reputation.

Both teams entered the match with one mission to make a strong statement in Group E, knowing that early points could prove decisive in the race to reach the knockout stages.

The opening half was tightly contested with Burkina Faso pushing forward while Equatorial Guinea remained disciplined at the back, and the teams went into the break deadlocked at 0-0.

The game’s first major turning point arrived in the second half when Basilio Ndong of Equatorial Guinea was shown a red card, becoming the first player sent off at AFCON 2025.

Reduced to ten men, Equatorial Guinea were forced into a defensive shape as Burkina Faso intensified their attacks in search of a breakthrough.

The Stallions believed they had taken the lead when Lassina Traoré found the net but celebrations were cut short after VAR ruled the goal out, keeping the score level.

Against the run of play, Equatorial Guinea stunned their opponents when Marvin Anieboh opened the scoring, giving the National Thunder a surprising 1-0 advantage.

The goal injected new belief into Equatorial Guinea as they fought bravely to protect their lead despite their numerical disadvantage of ten men.

Burkina Faso refused to surrender and were rewarded when Georgi Minoungou struck to level the match at 1-1, reigniting hopes of a comeback in Group E.

The Stallions pushed forward relentlessly in the closing minutes of the game.

Their persistence paid off when Edmond Tapsoba netted the decisive goal, completing a dramatic turnaround and sealing a 2-1 victory for Burkina Faso.

The win handed Burkina Faso vital three points in Group E of AFCON 2025, while Equatorial Guinea were left to reflect on a spirited performance undone by a red card and late goals.

The Maravi Post