OUAGADOUGOU -- Burkina Faso grabbed their
first win in group five of the African zone World Cup qualifiers
on Saturday by beating Malawi 4-2 at home in a see-saw match.
Malawi took an early lead with a Daniel Ghisulu goal after
10 minutes, only to see Romeo Kambou equalise 20 minutes later
from the penalty spot when striker Tidiane Tall was fouled.
The teams, who drew 1-1 when they met in Blantyre in June,
played hard but fired blanks until Burkina's Arouna Traore
scored from 35 metres on 76 minutes to cheer the 15,000 crowd.
But Malawi struck back quickly when Esaie Kayenda equalised
within two minutes after keeper Ibrahim Diarra fumbled.
A handball in the penalty area gave Burkina the opportunity
to take the lead again seven minutes from time and Brahima
Korbeogo fired home from the spot.
The visitors fought hard for a late equaliser and looked
dangerous until Narcisse Yameogo sealed the win with a late
goal.
The result gives Burkina four points, but is unlikely to
make a difference to their World Cup aspirations since they
trail South Africa (9) and Zimbabwe (6) and have played a game
more.
Malawi, with one point, are bottom of the group from which
Guinea was expelled by FIFA after it replaced its FA board.
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