In a hard-fought encounter at the AFCON Cote d'Ivoire 2023, Angola secured a spot in the Round of 16 with a 2-0 victory over Burkina Faso in a Group D match held at Yamoussoukro's Charles Konan Banny Stadium.
The Antelopes claimed a historic win with a goal in each half, as Cristovao “Mabululu” Paciencia and Ambrosini “Zini” Salvador found the back of the net on the stroke of full time. The victory marks Angola's qualification for the Round of 16 for the first time since 2010 when they hosted the tournament.
Both teams entered the clash to secure three points to finish as group leaders and enjoy a longer rest period ahead of the knockout stage. Angola took the lead in the 36th minute when Mabululu headed home, providing a crucial boost for the team going into halftime.
Despite Burkina Faso's efforts to break through the stubborn Angolan defence in the second half, victory was sealed on the stroke of full-time by Zini. His alert finish came after a stinging shot rebounded off the goalkeeper, securing the 2-0 win for Angola.
With the victory, both Angola and Burkina Faso gained automatic entry into the Round of 16. Meanwhile, Mauritania's historic win over Algeria sees them advancing to the knockout stage as one of the best third-finishers in the groups.
Angola's coach, Pedro Gonçalves, expressed joy for the historic achievement and dedication to the young team. He highlighted the smart play throughout the match and the importance of being well-prepared for the upcoming matches in the knockout stage.
Burkina Faso's coach, Hubert Velud, acknowledged that his team played well in the first half but lacked attacking effectiveness. He cited the second goal in the final minutes as a blow to their morale. Despite finishing the first round in second place in a challenging group, Velud emphasized that the focus now shifts to the 16-final match, anticipating a different type of encounter in the knockout stage.