Tapsoba brace gets Burkina Faso off the mark against Cameroon
Burkina Faso got their TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations off to a positive start on Monday after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Cameroon in the opening match of Group B in Morocco.
Asharaf Tapsoba continued with his fine form with a stunning brace that ensured the former champions kick off their title chase with a positive result.
Tabsoba, who was key in Burkina Faso’s qualification at the WAFU B qualifiers where he netted a brace in the final against Cote d’Ivoire has brought his rich vein of form to the finals in Morocco.
The lethal forward wasted no time in getting on the scoresheet with a strike in the 19th minute to open the scoring and settle the nerves for the former champions who last lifted the title in 2011.
Tapsoba was back on the scoresheet towards the closing stages of the first stanza with the completion of his brace in the 41st minute to give his side the two-goal cushion ahead of the break.
Coming back from the recess, Cameroon went all out in search of a goal but were met by a resolute Burkinabe defense that kept them at bay.
The pressure from the Cameroonians eventually yielded results, with David Nyangono pulling one back in the 75th minute to set up an exciting close to the encounter.
With the leveller in reach, Cameroon sent numbers forward but discipline in defence by the former champions saw them secure the much needed three points ahead of their next fixture against Egypt on Thursday.
Cameroon in the meantime will have to put the disappointment behind them as they prepare to meet South Africa in their next encounter on Thursday evening.
