Traore rescues point for Burkinabes

Alain Traore the man whose goal brought Burkina Faso to the 2013 African Cup of Nations came off the bench to score a 94th minute equalizer that saw Nigeria loose a one-goal lead.

Nigeria had been reduced to ten men after Celtic defender Efe Ambrose was shown red 15 minutes to go after a second bookable offense.

The Super Eagles had gotten the lead in the 23rd minute with Emmanuel Emenike finishing off Idiye’s flick from the edge of the six yard box. The Burkina Faso keeper was the hero of the side in most of the first half as his instinctive keeping kept Nigeria away.

The second half was all Burkina Faso as the young boys piled pressure on the brittle Nigeria backline. The goal was always coming but the poor finishing from the Burkinabes never rattled Vincent Enyeama.

After Efe’s red card, Burkina Faso piled more pressure and in the last minute of added time, the pressure paid off with Traore tapping home from a swift counter attack.

The draw now keeps Group C open with all teams sharing a point each. The Group has also produced the tournament’s first red cards with the Ethiopian keeper being the first to get the marching orders in the early kick off.