Burkina Faso produced a thrilling late turnaround to beat Equatorial Guinea 2–1 in their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Group E opener at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca on Wednesday.
The victory came after Equatorial Guinea had taken the lead and looked set to shock their rivals.
The National Thunder struck first in the 85th minute when Marvin Anieboh powered a header into the top left corner from a corner delivered by Carlos Akapo.
The goal silenced the crowd and put the underdogs ahead in a match that had been cagey for large spells.
However, Burkina Faso refused to roll over. They pressed hard and were eventually rewarded deep in stoppage time. Just after the 95th minute mark, Georgi Minoungou poked home the equaliser following sustained pressure in the box.
Then, in the 98th minute, Edmond Tapsoba climbed highest to head the winner and send the visiting supporters into raptures.
The first half had ended goalless, with neither side able to break through despite Burkina Faso controlling much of the possession early on.
Equatorial Guinea had shown resilience, especially after being reduced to ten men in the second half, but the Stallions’ late surge proved decisive.
Burkina Faso’s fightback earns them a valuable start in Group E and keeps their hopes of progressing alive.
Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea will be disappointed to surrender a lead so late after such a hard-fought display.
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