Kaboré wins late penalty as Burkino Faso start AFCON with victory

Issa Kaboré in action for Luton
Issa Kaboré in action for Luton. Photo by Liam Smith

Luton loan ace Issa Kaboré won a 90th minute penalty that saw Burkina Faso beat Mauritania 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations opener in Group D.

The wing back was fouled by Nouh Mohamed El Abd as he burst into the box. Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed initially ordered a corner but the video assistant referee advised him to review the footage on the pitchside monitor and a penalty was awarded. 

It saw Aston Villa’s Bertrand Traore send keeper Babacar Niasse the wrong way from the spot and send Burkino Faso to the top of their group after Algeria and Angola drew 1-1.

Kaboré and co will next face-off against Algeria on Saturday, before rounding off their group games against Angola on Tuesday (January 23).

Burkino Faso have reached the semi-finals in three of the last five AFCON tournaments so if they were to repeat that feat again, Kaboré would not return to Luton contention until at least the Sunday February 18 Premier League visit to Kenilworth Road of Manchester United.