Staff Reporter.
Burkina Faso were held to a 0-0 draw by Eswatini in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification Group B match at Stade de Marrakech in Morocco on Friday night.
As a result, the Stallions ended a successful qualifying campaign with a draw, but the West African side will slip down to the second spot in Group B standings if Cape Verde defeat Togo on Sunday
Eswatini, on the other hand, wrapped up a disappointing campaign with a draw having failed to win a single match – collecting just three points from six matches which came from three draws.
The Stallions controlled the match from the start with Dramane Salou seeing a lot of the ball midfield, but the King’s Shield were able to contain the hosts and the score was 0-0 during the halftime break.
Coach Hubert Velud decided to refresh his attack after the restart as the French tactician introduced attackers Ousseni Bouda and Cyrille Bayala with the Stallions looking to break the deadlock.
However, Eswatini stood firm at the back with goalkeeper Khayakwezwe Shabalala making key saves to keep Burkina Faso at bay, and ultimately, the match ended in a 0-0 draw on the night.
Meanwhile Mali hammered South Sudan 4-0 in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification Group G match at Stade du 26 Mars on Friday night.
Therefore, the Eagles finished their qualifying campaign with a win and they qualified for the 2023 Afcon finals having impressively collected 15 points from a possible 18 from six matches.
South Sudan, on the other hand, finished fourth in the Group G standings having accumulated just three points from six matches and their wait to qualify for the Afcon finals continues.
Elsewhere Egypt secured a 1-0 win over Ethiopia in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification group D match at the 30 June Stadium on Friday evening.
Therefore, the Pharaohs wrapped up a successful qualifying campaign with a victory and they finished at the top of the group D standings, having impressively collected 15 points from six matches.