Africa Cup of Nations - Group C
Result: Burkina Faso 4-0 Ethiopia
Date: 25 January 2013
Venue: Mbombela Stadium
Burkina Faso clinched their first win at an Africa Cup of Nations on foreign soil as they beat Ethiopia 4-0 on Friday to surge to the top of Group C.
Alain Traore was the man with the golden touch on the night as he bagged a brace for the the Stallions before Kone added a third to secure a crucial three points and Jonathan Pitroipa netted number four at Mbombela Stadium.
Ethiopia were agonisingly close to taking the early lead as Shimeles Bekele Godo got on the end of a brisk attacking move only to see his shot at goal hit the post in the fourth minute.
Both sides showed the desire to push for the opener early in the first half, but much of the play was focused in the middle of the field and the poor state of the pitch did not help the players create opportunities.
Despite the playing conditions Burkina Faso hit the front in the 34th minute. Charles Kabore conjured up the chance as he played in Alain Traore who brought the ball down before thrashing it into the roof of the net leaving gloveman Tadele with no chance.
Disaster struck for the Stallions in the 59th minute. Goalkeeper Soulama blatantly handled the ball outside his area and was shown a red card.
However, despite their inferior numbers it was Burkina Faso who scored again. Jonathan Pitroipa played a deft one-two with Traore who provided the unstoppable finish.
The result was then secured in the 79th minute. Kone was played through one-on-one with the Ethiopia goalkeeper and coolly slid his shot underneath him to find the back of the net.
In stoppage time, Pitroipa knocked home the fourth after being put through by Balima to cap off an impressive victory.
Standard Bank Moment Of The Game: With only a one-goal lead and with 10 men on the field Burkina Faso were in a fragile spot, but the second goal crucially turned the momentum back in their favour, which is why it earns the moment of the game.
Burkina Faso: A. Soulama, Baky, P. Koulibaly, M. Panandétiguiri, Mohamed Koffi, D. Koné, Alain Traoré, Charles Kaboré, Wilfried Sanou, Jonathan Pitroipa, Aristide Bancé
Ethiopia: Z. Tadele, Degu Debebe, Aynalem Hailu Reda, Birhanu Bogale, Tesfaye Seyoum, Asrat Megersa Gobena, Minyahile Teshome Beyene, Adane Girma Gebreyes, Adis Hintsa Tekle, Said Saladin, Shimeles Bekele Godo
