“Edwin Quarshie booked for a foul, the first of three first-half cautions”
“Arsène Kouassi booked for simulation, capping a bookings-heavy first half”
“Aboubacar Camara scores the winner just a minute after being substituted on, finishing from the left side of the box after Isaac Solet's blocked shot moments earlier”
Pivotal
Central African Republic
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso edged a tight qualifier through greater efficiency and control, out-passing the hosts 315 to 295 with superior accuracy at 73% and creating three big chances to none for Central African Republic. The visitors' bench proved decisive as Aboubacar Camara struck within a minute of coming on in the 59th minute, latching onto a low cross from Arthur Zagré to beat the Central African Republic goalkeeper at his near post. The hosts had chances of their own, with Isaac Solet's blocked effort from outside the box coming moments before the goal, but a wasteful conversion rate - just one shot on target from eight attempts - summed up their afternoon. Central African Republic's disciplinary issues in the first half, with three yellow cards shown before the break, set a tone of physicality that Burkina Faso ultimately navigated better to secure a professional, if unspectacular, away win.
How entertaining was this match?
Arsène Kouassi from Burkina Faso is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Christian Yawanendji from the Central African Republic has a right-footed shot from the right side of the box that goes wide to the left, assisted by Goduine Koyalipou.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 5 minutes of added time.
Offside called against Burkina Faso. Pierre Landry Kaboré is caught offside.
Christian Yawanendji from the Central African Republic commits a foul.
Rachid Kouda from Burkina Faso is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution for Burkina Faso: Pierre Landry Kaboré comes on for Ousseni Bouda.
Substitution for Burkina Faso: Rachid Kouda comes on for Ismahila Ouédraogo.
Elohim Kaboré from Burkina Faso misses the attempt with a header from the center of the box, sending it high and wide to the right.
Elohim Kaboré from Burkina Faso attempts a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it goes close and misses to the right. He was assisted by Edmond Tapsoba.
Foul committed by Christian Yawanendji of the Central African Republic.
Aboubacar Camara from Burkina Faso wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Christian Yawanendji of the Central African Republic.
Lohann Doucet from Burkina Faso is awarded a free kick on the left wing.
Hugo Gambor from the Central African Republic is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Elohim Kaboré commits a foul for Burkina Faso.
Foul committed by Delphin Mokonou of the Central African Republic.
Ismahila Ouédraogo from Burkina Faso wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Isaac Solet commits a foul for the Central African Republic.
Aboubacar Camara of Burkina Faso is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Goduine Koyalipou is caught offside for the Central African Republic.
Corner awarded to the Central African Republic after Ismahila Ouédraogo concedes.
Moustapha Djimet from the Central African Republic wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Arsène Kouassi of Burkina Faso.
Substitution for Central African Republic: Moustapha Djimet comes on for Vénuste Baboula.
Attempt missed. Issa Kaboré from Burkina Faso takes a right-footed shot from the right side of the box but misses to the left.
Burkina Faso wins a corner after Peter Guinari concedes.
Foul committed by Isaac Solet of the Central African Republic.
Ismahila Ouédraogo from Burkina Faso wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul committed by Peter Guinari of the Central African Republic.
Elohim Kaboré from Burkina Faso wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution for Central African Republic: Peter Guinari comes on for Sacha M'Baka.
Burkina Faso wins a corner after Raphaël Yapéndé concedes.
Delphin Mokonou from the Central African Republic commits a handball.
Flory Yangao from the Central African Republic wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul committed by Arthur Zagré of Burkina Faso.
Christian Yawanendji from the Central African Republic commits a foul.
Arthur Zagré from Burkina Faso wins a free kick in the attacking half.
The match is currently paused for a drinks break.
Delay is over and the match is ready to continue.
Christian Yawanendji from the Central African Republic wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Ismahila Ouédraogo from Burkina Faso commits a foul.
Substitution for Central African Republic: Delphin Mokonou comes on for Junior Sambia.
Substitution for Central African Republic: Joël Ngoya comes on for Edwin Quarshie.
Substitution for Central African Republic: Christian Yawanendji comes on for Badara Diomande.
Substitution for Burkina Faso: Elohim Kaboré comes on for Lassina Traoré.
Nasser Djiga from Burkina Faso misses an attempt with a right-footed shot from a difficult angle on the right, sending the ball to the right. Ousseni Bouda provided the assist with a cross after a corner.
Burkina Faso wins a corner after Hugo Gambor concedes.
assist: Arthur Zagré
Goal! Burkina Faso takes the lead 1-0 against the Central African Republic. Aboubacar Camara scores with a right-footed shot from the left side of the box into the bottom right corner, assisted by Arthur Zagré.
Isaac Solet from the Central African Republic has a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it is blocked.
Vénuste Baboula from the Central African Republic is awarded a free kick on the left wing.
Issa Kaboré commits a foul for Burkina Faso.
Substitution for Burkina Faso: Aboubacar Camara comes on for Abdoul Tapsoba.
Badara Diomande from the Central African Republic wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Arthur Zagré of Burkina Faso.
Isaac Solet from the Central African Republic wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Ismahila Ouédraogo from Burkina Faso commits a foul.
Delay in the match in Burkina Faso.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
Corner awarded to the Central African Republic after a concession by Ismahila Ouédraogo.
Attempt missed. Goduine Koyalipou from the Central African Republic takes a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it goes just a bit too high after a corner.
Corner awarded to the Central African Republic after a concession by Ismahila Ouédraogo.
Foul committed by Abdoul Tapsoba of Burkina Faso.
Badara Diomande from the Central African Republic is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Lassina Traoré is caught offside for Burkina Faso.
Foul committed by Vénuste Baboula of the Central African Republic.
Arsène Kouassi from Burkina Faso wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Lohann Doucet from Burkina Faso attempts a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it goes close and misses to the left after a fast break.
Hugo Gambor from the Central African Republic is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Lassina Traoré of Burkina Faso.
Nasser Djiga from Burkina Faso misses a header from the center of the box, going close but veering to the right. The cross was assisted by Lohann Doucet.
The second half begins with the score at Central African Republic 0, Burkina Faso 0.
The first half ends with Central African Republic and Burkina Faso tied at 0-0.
Arthur Zagré from Burkina Faso misses the attempt with a left-footed shot from outside the box, sending it just over the bar from a direct free kick.
Sacha M'Baka from the Central African Republic commits a foul.
Arthur Zagré from Burkina Faso wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Lassina Traoré from Burkina Faso misses a right-footed shot from the center of the box, sending it to the left. Abdoul Tapsoba provided the assist after a set piece situation.
Attempt missed. Abdoul Tapsoba's header from the center of the box goes wide to the left. Arthur Zagré provided the assist with a cross after a set piece situation.
Arsène Kouassi from Burkina Faso is awarded a free kick on the left wing.
Badara Diomande from the Central African Republic commits a foul.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 4 minutes of added time.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Dominique Youfeigane from the Central African Republic.
Arsène Kouassi from Burkina Faso has fallen to the ground, but the referee considers it to be simulation.
Arsène KouassiYellow CardArsène Kouassi of Burkina Faso receives a yellow card.
Edwin Quarshie from the Central African Republic commits a handball.
Attempt blocked. Vénuste Baboula from the Central African Republic has a right-footed shot from the left side of the box that is blocked, assisted by Edwin Quarshie.
Attempt missed. Badara Diomande from the Central African Republic takes a right-footed shot from the right side of the box, but it goes close and misses the top left corner. He was assisted by Vénuste Baboula.
Corner awarded to the Central African Republic after a concession by Arsène Kouassi.
Junior Sambia from the Central African Republic is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
Lohann Doucet commits a foul for Burkina Faso.
Junior Sambia commits a foul for the Central African Republic.
Arsène Kouassi from Burkina Faso is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Goduine Koyalipou from the Central African Republic takes a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it goes to the right. Vénuste Baboula provided the assist.
Junior Sambia from the Central African Republic is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul committed by Edwin Quarshie of the Central African Republic.
Lassina Traoré from Burkina Faso is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Arthur Zagré of Burkina Faso.
Sacha M'BakaYellow CardSacha M'Baka from the Central African Republic receives a yellow card for handball.
Sacha M'Baka from the Central African Republic commits a handball.
Goduine Koyalipou from the Central African Republic wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Edmond Tapsoba commits a foul for Burkina Faso.
Abdoul Tapsoba from Burkina Faso commits a handball.
Flory Yangao from the Central African Republic commits a handball.
Foul committed by Edwin Quarshie of the Central African Republic.
Abdoul Tapsoba from Burkina Faso is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Edwin QuarshieYellow CardEdwin Quarshie of the Central African Republic receives a yellow card for a foul.
Lassina Traoré of Burkina Faso is caught offside.
Goduine Koyalipou from the Central African Republic wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul committed by Arthur Zagré of Burkina Faso.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
The match is currently delayed for a drinks break.
Attempt saved. Lohann Doucet from Burkina Faso has a left-footed shot from outside the box, but it's saved in the bottom right corner by Dominique Youfeigane of the Central African Republic. The assist came from Ismahila Ouédraogo.
Vénuste Baboula from the Central African Republic is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Issa Kaboré from Burkina Faso commits a foul.
Ousseni Bouda from Burkina Faso is awarded a free kick on the left wing.
Foul committed by Badara Diomande of the Central African Republic.
Burkina Faso is awarded a corner after Raphaël Yapéndé concedes.
Burkina Faso wins a corner after Flory Yangao concedes.
Burkina Faso is called offside. Edmond Tapsoba is the player caught offside.
Foul committed by Sacha M'Baka from the Central African Republic.
Junior Sambia commits a foul for the Central African Republic.
Arthur Zagré from Burkina Faso is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Lassina Traoré from Burkina Faso earns a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt saved. Junior Sambia from the Central African Republic has a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it's saved in the top center of the goal by Hervé Koffi from Burkina Faso.
Corner awarded to the Central African Republic after a concession by Hervé Koffi.
Goduine Koyalipou of the Central African Republic wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Edmond Tapsoba of Burkina Faso commits a foul.
Junior Sambia from the Central African Republic is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Arthur Zagré of Burkina Faso.
Goduine Koyalipou from the Central African Republic is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Edmond Tapsoba commits a foul for Burkina Faso.
Goduine Koyalipou from the Central African Republic wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Nasser Djiga of Burkina Faso.
Vénuste Baboula from the Central African Republic is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Ousseni Bouda commits a foul for Burkina Faso.
Attempt missed. Goduine Koyalipou from the Central African Republic shoots with his right foot from outside the box, but it's too high. He was assisted by Junior Sambia, who provided a cross after a corner.
Corner awarded to the Central African Republic, conceded by Lassina Traoré.
Corner awarded to the Central African Republic after Arsène Kouassi concedes.
Abdoul Tapsoba of Burkina Faso is caught offside.
Badara Diomande from the Central African Republic commits a foul.
Issa Kaboré of Burkina Faso wins a free kick on the right wing.
First half begins.
Central African Republic look to bounce back from an opening-day thrashing, but they'll have to do it without home comforts as this Group F clash is played in Casablanca instead of Bangui. Burkina Faso, fresh off a battling draw with Benin, arrive as clear favorites to make it two unbeaten in their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
