If the Algerian adventure in Cameroon has come to an end, that of Burkinabés and Tunisians continues. For the first matches of the round of 16, Stallions and Eagles of Carthage ensured.
The second phase of CAN 2022 began this Sunday, January 23, 2022. By beating Gabon, Burkina Fasso advanced to the next round. The Stallions will have to face Tunisia, victorious against Nigeria. The first poster for the quarter-finals of the 2022 African Cup of Nations is already known.
A first meeting at the end of the suspense
At the start of the round of 16, Burkina Fasso faced Gabon in Limbé. A match where the two selections were given until the end. It took 120 minutes and penalties to have the first team qualified for the quarter-finals.
After a missed penalty (18′), Bertrand Traoré managed to open the scoring for the Burkinabés (28′) on a deep ball. At the end of the first period, it was the Stallions who took the lead. On returning from the locker room, Traoré’s teammates multiplied the opportunities without managing to materialize them.
It was the Burkinabé Adama Guira who sent his team to extra time, following a goal scored against his side in added time (91′). Gabon and Burkina Fasso are fighting for 30 extra minutes of play, but it is the penalty shootout that decides between them (7-6).
Youssef Msakni, the savior
The second match of the round of 16 pitted Tunisia against tournament favorites, Nigeria. The Carthage Eagles secured their qualification ticket with a team weakened by the coronavirus and 10 absent. All the credit goes to Youssef Msakni (47′). 25 meters from goal, the Al Arabi striker dribbles his opponent before framing his shot which ends up in the back of the net.
The semi-finalists of the former CAN were dangerous throughout the second period, without managing to equalize. It is therefore Tunisia that will face Burkina Fasso in the quarter-finals.
