Burkina Faso snatch dramatic stoppage-time victory against Equatorial Guinea

Burkina Faso produced one of the most dramatic moments of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 so far, scoring twice deep into stoppage time to stun Equatorial Guinea 2–1 at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca on Wednesday.

In a Group E contest that swung wildly in the closing minutes, the Stallions looked set for frustration after conceding late against ten-man opponents, only to respond with remarkable composure and belief to turn the match on its head in the dying seconds.

The result sends Burkina Faso to the top of the group with three points, while Equatorial Guinea remain bottom ahead of the later clash between Algeria and Sudan.

The first half was evenly balanced, with neither team able to carve out a clear opening despite the high tempo and physical duels that defined the contest.

The match shifted early in the second half when Equatorial Guinea were reduced to ten men. Basilo Ndung was shown a straight red card in the 50th minute following a dangerous challenge, forcing coach Juan Micha to reorganise his side and rethink his approach.

Burkina Faso sought to capitalise on their numerical advantage and believed they had taken the lead in the 71st minute when Lassina Traoré found the net. However, after a VAR review, the goal was ruled out, adding to the frustration of the Stallions as Equatorial Guinea held firm.

Against the run of play, it was Equatorial Guinea who struck first. In the 85th minute, substitute Marvin Aniebo made an immediate impact, rising to meet Carlos Akapo’s corner and heading past the goalkeeper to give his side a shock lead just three minutes after coming on.

With defeat looming, Burkina Faso threw numbers forward, refusing to accept the outcome. Their persistence was finally rewarded in the fifth minute of added time when substitute György Menongo pounced to level the score, sparking belief among the Stallions.

Moments later, disbelief swept through the stadium. In the eighth minute of stoppage time, Edmond Tapsoba powered home the winner, completing an extraordinary turnaround and sending Burkina Faso’s players and supporters into raptures.