It needed a 7-6 penalty shootout for Burkina Faso to dump ten-man Gabon out of the Cameroon Africa Cup of Nations as the former sailed to the quarterfinals.
The aforementioned happened after 1-1 following an entertaining 120 minutes at the Limbe Stadium on Sunday in the first match of the round of 16.
Bertrand Traore had given the Burkinabe the lead before it was cancelled out by the last gasp leveller through an Adama Aguira own goal.
After a dull start to the game, Burkina Faso were awarded an 18th minute penalty but Traore could only manage to hit his strike onto the upright.
The Aston Villa forward however made amends in the 28th minute with a long range strike that hit the frame before making its way to the net.
Gabon thought they had equalized at the 41st minute mark but Aaron Boupendza’s shot past goalkeeper Kouakou Koffi was cancelled following the intervention of the Video Assistant Referee.
At 67 minutes, Gabon’s Sidney Obissa was sent off following a second bookable offence, to add to the Panthers misery on the evening.
The scorer, Traore, missed two glorious chances in the 78 and 81st minute to double the Burkinabes lead. He was denied by custodian Jean Amonome on the first occasion, before sending the other off target.
At the death, the Gabonese equalized as Bruno Manga’s headed effort off Denis Bouanga’s corner was turned in by Aguira for an own goal, to send the game for an extra thirty minutes.
Five minutes into extra time, Burkina Faso’s Mohamed Konate’s headed effort destined for goal was denied by Amonome, once again.
As a result of numerical advantage, Burkinabe pushed further to extend the goal and thought they had it in the 102nd minute but Abdoul Tapsoba’s goal was ruled for offside.
Amonome was yet again called into action saving his side in the 115th minute as he blocked Ismahila Ouedraogo’s effort.
Ouedraogo scored the match-winning penalty after Bastia’s Lloyd Palun had missed for the Panthers, to send the West African outfit in a frenzy.
Burkina Faso will now meet the victor between Nigeria and Tunisia who tussle it out in the later hours of Sunday.
How they lined up
Burkina Faso: Kouakou Koffi(GK), Issa Kabore, Bertrand Traore(c), Edmond Tapsoboa, Boureima Bande, Gustavo Sangare, Ibrahim Toure, Adama Guira, Steeve Yago, Dango Aboubacar Quattara
Substitutions: Babayoure Aboubacar Sawadogo, Cheick Quattara, Oula Traore, Saiddou Simpore, Mohamed Konate, Abdoul Tapsoba, Zakaria Sanogo, Ismahila Quedraogo, Sofianne Quedraogo, Koume Boutue
Gabon: Jean Amonome (GK), Alex Moussounda, Anthony Torque, Sidney Mboumini, Bruno Manga(c), Johann Serge Obiang, Aaron Salem Boupendza, Lloyd Pallun, Jim Allevinah, Guelor Kanga Kuku, Andre Biyogo Poko
Substitutions: Axel Ndong, Kevin Mayi, Louis Autchanga, Enema Ella, David Patrick Sambissa, Andre Mfa, Athanase Bouanga, Junior Emeric Akue, Medwin Biteghe Mendhame, Yannis Ngakoutou Yapende, Richard Moubeti
