Burkina Faso overturned a daunting record to claim a dramatic 2-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea in their opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Stallions went into the game burdened by a poor history in tournament openers. Coming into this game, they had lost 12 of their 13 previous opening AFCON matches, with their sole victory being a 1-0 win against Mauritania in the 2023 edition.
For much of the match, it seemed the familiar script would repeat itself. Equatorial Guinea took a second-half lead, putting Burkina Faso on the brink of yet another disappointing start. The weight of history pressed heavily on the Burkinabe side as the clock ticked toward full time.
However, in a remarkable final twist, Burkina Faso staged a comeback. Needing two goals in the last three minutes to snatch victory, The Stallions summoned a spirit rarely seen in their opening fixtures. They found an equalizer, and then, in a moment of sheer determination, scored a late winner to complete a sensational turnaround.
The final whistle confirmed a 2-1 victory. This victory does more than secure three vital points. By winning only their second AFCON opening match, the team has rewritten its own narrative and laid a foundation of belief for the tournament ahead.
This win against Equatorial Guinea in their 14th AFCON opening game will be remembered as a historic moment for Burkinabe football, proving that past records are made to be broken.
