Bundesliga duo on the scoresheet in Burkina Faso win
Bayer Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba and Freiburg new boy Cyrique Irié were on the scoresheet as Burkina Faso kept their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive as they defeated Djibouti 6-0.
Tapsoba had previously only scored one in 52 caps for his country, but he found the back of the net twice in the win - just the second brace of his senior career. Freiburg summer signing Irié, meanwhile, was making only his third international appearance yet also has two goals following his strike versus Djibouti.
After the match, Tapsoba said, "Right now, we have attacking potential. We’re among Africa’s best offenses. We tried to put that into practice. Personally, I was happy that we didn’t concede a goal—that means our defence is solid too.”
The result consolidates Burkina Faso's second-placed spot in Group A, where they sit five points adrift of Egypt. On Tuesday, Tapsoba, Irié and Co. will face the North African nation in a clash that could decide who secures the automatic qualification spot for next summer's finals.
However, Burkina Faso could still book a place in the USA, Mexico and Canada if they finish as one of the four best second-placed sides, win the four-team play-off for progression to the inter-confederation play-off and then prevail in a one-off, winner takes all game versus a country from Asia, South America or Oceania.
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