In what is already being called the most dramatic finish of AFCON 2025, Burkina Faso scored twice in stoppage time to snatch a 2-1 victory from the jaws of a shock defeat against Equatorial Guinea.
The Drama:
The match turned in the 50th minute when Equatorial Guinea’s Basilio Ndong was sent off for a reckless studs-up challenge.
Despite the disadvantage, the 10-man “Nzalang Nacional” shocked the stadium in the 85th minute when substitute Marvin Anieboh headed home from a corner.
With eight minutes of stoppage time added, the “Stallions” launched a desperate assault. In the 95th minute, Georgi Minoungou bundled home the equalizer. Then, in the final seconds (98th minute), Bundesliga star Edmond Tapsoba rose highest to thunder home the winner, sparking wild celebrations.
The Reaction:
Burkina Faso coach Brama Traoré was visibly emotional after the final whistle: “My heart almost stopped! We never stopped believing. This is the spirit of the Stallions. To win like this proves that in African football, it is never over until the referee blows the final whistle.” The coach told CAF Online.
What an incredible game! It really was a remarkable comeback for Burkina Faso, truly deserving of the ‘miracle’ label.