Bertrand Traoré helped guide Burkina Faso into the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations with victory over Gabon on Sunday.
The Aston Villa wide man opened the scoring in their Round of 16 tie before Adama Guira’s late own goal levelled matters for 10-man Gabon to ensure extra-time and eventually penalties, with the tie finishing 1-1.
But Burkina Faso triumphed 7-6 in the shoot-out to set up a clash with Tunisia in the last eight, after they recorded a shock 1-0 win over Nigeria.
The Stallions will face Tunisia in the quarter-finals on Saturday (ko 7pm).
Traore, who wears the captain’s armband for Burkina Faso, had struck the crossbar with an earlier penalty, before being sent clear and slotting home past the goalkeeper from distance to register the opening goal in the 28th minute.
It was a lead they held on to until late in the game, with Traore substituted after 81 minutes in Limbe.
But Gabon, who had also been reduced to 10 men following Sidney Obissa’s dismissal, struck in injury time as the action-packed clash duly went the full distance.
And Ismahila Ouedraogo netted the decisive spot-kick to send Burkina Faso through to the quarter-finals.
Good luck, Bertrand!
