Ouagadougou: The Stallions of Burkina Faso and the Pharaohs of Egypt drew 0-0 on Tuesday evening at the renovated August 4 Stadium, counting for the 8th day of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Group A, a result which still leaves the Burkinabe team five points behind its opponent.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Stade du 4-Aot in Ouagadougou was alive with anticipation as fans gathered to watch the highly anticipated match between the Stallions and the Pharaohs. Despite the home team’s efforts and strong support from their fans, they were unable to break through Egypt’s solid defense, resulting in a goalless draw.
The match saw Burkina Faso adopting a 4-3-3 formation, with the team trying to impose their tempo through high pressure and quick attacks. However, Egypt’s defensive organization proved effective, with Mohammed Salah leading counterattacks that kept the Burkinabe defense on its toes. The midfield battle was intense, with both teams showing caution and resulting in limited clear-cut opportunities.
In the latter half, Burkina Faso intensified their efforts, spurred on by a supportive crowd. Bertrand Traore and his teammates launched several attempts, but Egypt’s defense and goalkeeper El-Shenawy remained resolute. Egypt, aware of the strategic advantage in maintaining their lead in the group, managed the game effectively.
Coach Brama Traore attempted to inject fresh energy into the team with substitutions, but despite the late efforts, the home side could not find the back of the net. The draw allows Egypt to maintain a comfortable five-point lead over Burkina Faso, positioning them favorably for upcoming qualifiers against Guinea Bissau and Djibouti. Meanwhile, Burkina Faso faces mounting pressure to secure victories in their next matches against Sierra Leone and Ethiopia.
Pharaohs’ coach Hossam Hassan, returning to the August 4th Stadium, expressed his satisfaction with the result. Reminiscing about his days as a player, Hassan noted the changes in Burkina Faso’s team and emphasized the challenge posed by their opponents. Stallions coach Brama Traore and captain Bertrand Traore reflected on the match, acknowledging the difficulty of breaking through Egypt’s tactics and the need for more risk-taking in future games.
The outcome left Burkinabe supporters with mixed feelings-pride in standing firm against a formidable opponent, yet concern over their World Cup qualification prospects. With Egypt leading Group A with 20 points, Burkina Faso remains in contention with 15 points, followed closely by Sierra Leone and others.
As the qualifiers progress, Burkina Faso’s focus will be on securing crucial victories to keep their World Cup dreams alive.