Burkina Faso assumed pole position in Group C at the ongoing 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa after a convincing 4-0 win over Ethiopia in an entertaining contest played on Friday.
Two goals either side half from Alaine Traore, a third from Yusuf Kone 10 minutes to full time and Jonathan Pitroipa’s fourth at added time, ensured the West Africans bagged their first win of the competition, a result that almost ensures the Stallions a quarter-final berth and places the East Africans on the brink of elimination.
Burkina Faso now leads the group after garnering four points from two games, while Nigeria and Zambia, who drew one all in the earlier match of Friday, are joint second with two points apiece.
The Walya Antelopes had garnered a point against Zambia in their opening game.
Ethiopia were full of running during the opening exchanges of this duel dubbed the ‘battle of the underdogs’ and took only four minutes to create the first goal scoring opportunity.
A well worked move that stretched almost the entire length of the Mbombani pitch and aided by a cheeky flick from Basseba in the final third, provided a clear cut chance for Bekele, whose goal bound shot flew past a hapless Soulama but was stopped by the upright.
The East Africans were at it again four minutes later.
When Soulama was caught napping by a back pass from Koulibaly, a combination of Kabore and Kone however proved enough to save the Stallions from conceding.
Traore, who had been preferred to start the match ahead of Moumoni Dagano, responded with a shot from outside the danger zone after 10 minutes, which, however, failed to trouble Ethiopia’s second choice custodian Tadelle.
A minute later, Sewnet Bishaw was forced into a substitution for the second consecutive match after an injury to dependable striker Adane Girma saw the Saint George player walk off in tears with Behailu Assefa coming on as his replacement.
The Stallions then upped the ante in the second quarter of the first half, with Kabare’s dangerous drive saved by Tadelle, the rebound from Traore found the back of the net but was ruled out for offside.
The Walya Antelopes seemed to tire as the first stanza wore on and the 1998 AFCON hosts seized the initiative by grabbing the lead with 10 minutes to the break.
An initial shot by Bance was cleared off the line by Tesfaye, but went as far as Kabore, whose invented flick found the unmarked Traore.
The FC Lorient forward then thumped a fierce shot that found its way to the top of the left corner of Tadelle’s net.
Bishaw was then forced to make a second change just before the teams headed to the dressing room, with Yared Zinabura coming in for the injured Asrt Megresa.
Ethiopia, who are making a comeback to the continental showpiece after three decades in the cold, were the better of the two teams in the opening minutes of the second half yet again, but did not take advantage of the chances they created.
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