Burkina Faso launched their TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (U-17 AFCON) campaign in style with a gritty 2-1 triumph over Cameroon in their Group B opener in Morocco.
The night belonged to Asharaf Tapsoba, who delivered a match-winning brace to inspire the former champions to a crucial opening victory, setting the perfect tone for their title quest.
Tapsoba the Tormentor: A Brace to Remember
Tapsoba, already a rising star from the WAFU B qualifiers, wasted no time in making his mark on the tournament. The lethal forward—who scored twice in the final against Côte d’Ivoire to secure Burkina Faso’s place at the competition—once again showed his goal-scoring instincts on the big stage.
His first strike came in the 19th minute, a composed finish that not only gave Burkina Faso the lead but also settled any early nerves for a side determined to reclaim the title they last won in 2011.
Just before the halftime whistle, Tapsoba struck again in the 41st minute, this time doubling the advantage with another clinical finish. His brace gave Burkina Faso a commanding 2-0 lead heading into the break.
Cameroon’s Fightback Falls Short
After the restart, Cameroon came out desperate to turn the tide. The young Indomitable Lions threw bodies forward, applying relentless pressure in search of a goal.
Burkina Faso’s defense, however, stood firm, repelling wave after wave of Cameroonian attacks. But in the 75th minute, Cameroon finally found a breakthrough. David Nyangono capitalized on an opening to pull one back, igniting a tense final 15 minutes.
Sensing an opportunity to salvage a point, Cameroon pushed numbers forward, but Burkina Faso remained resolute. Their disciplined defensive unit ensured they held on for a vital three points, giving them a perfect start to their Group B campaign.
FULL-TIME!
Burkina Faso take their 3 points against Cameroon after a fantastic battle. 🇧🇫#TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 | #BFACMR pic.twitter.com/kfv6MHAfbL
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) March 31, 2025What’s Next?
Burkina Faso will now turn their attention to their next showdown against Egypt on Thursday, where another victory could see them take control of the group.
Meanwhile, Cameroon must regroup quickly as they prepare for a must-win clash against South Africa, also on Thursday evening.
With a dramatic start to Group B, the race for U-17 AFCON supremacy is already heating up!
