Stallions boost playoff hopes with victory over Ethiopia

Burkina Faso have boosted their hopes of reaching the playoffs in Africa’s 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers after they defeated Ethiopia 3-1 at the 4 August Stadium in Ouagadougou on Sunday night.

The Stallions closed out their group A campaign with a key victory – secured by a hat-trick from Pierre Kabore – which puts them into the top four of the runners-up rankings, though they could drop out depending on results in other groups through Monday and Tuesday.

Burkina Faso dominated the match from early on, but had to wait until the 21st minute to have their first clear chance, with Stephane Aziz Ki shooting narrowly wide after a swift build-up down the right flank.

And Aziz Ki came close again in the 39th minute, hitting a curling effort from outside the box that had the beating of Ethiopia goalkeeper Firew Getahun, but the ball rebounded off the upright.

Bertrand Traore also threatened for the Stallions, but the first half closed with the score still locked at 0-0.

In the early minutes of the second half, Burkina Faso once again cut through the Ethiopian defence to tee up Traore, but his low shot – as well as a follow-up effort – was kept out by Getahun.

The final #WCQ matchday starts with a bang 🌍💥#SSDiski | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/sYgt7YX53S

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 12, 2025

On the hour mark, the Ethiopian goalkeeper made another key save to deny Dango Ouattara, before Mohamed Zougrana ballooned a shot over the target from close range.

The Stallions finally broke through in the 65th minute, with substitute Pierre Kabore getting onto a flick-on in the penalty area – from fellow replacement Josue Tiendrebeogo – before stabbing a shot beyond Getahun for 1-0.

Kabore racked up a second goal in the 83rd minute to seemingly make the game safe for the hosts, striking home after Ethiopia failed to clear their lines in defence.

Yet, Burkina Faso allowed the Wayla Antelopes back into the game just a minute later, dallying in defence and allowing Ayten Biniam to capitalise and make it 2-1.

The Stallions pushed hard for another strike to improve their goal difference and were rewarded in injury time when Kabore completed a remarkable and heroic hat-trick.

BURKINA FASO (0) 3 (P. Kabore 65’ 83’ 90+6)

ETHIOPIA (0) 1 (A. Biniam 84’)

BURKINA FASO: H. Koffi, K. Aziz (J. Tiendrebeogo 62’), I. Dayo, M. Konate (G. Minoungou 64’), D. Ouattara (P. Kabore 62’), I. Ouedragao, M. Ouedragao, E. Tapsoba, B. Traore, S. Yago, M. Zougrana (I. Toure 83’)

ETHIOPIA: F. Getahun, B. Desta (A. Hussein 56’), W. Gezahegn (N. Gebreselassie 80’), C. Gugsa (C. Abera 80’) , R. James, K. Jima (T. Yitagesu 63’), K. Kebede, A. Reshid, H. Sherefa, B. Waza (A. Biniam 56’),A. Yesouf