Senegal and Burkina Faso played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in an international friendly on Thursday, offering a glimpse of the intensity expected at the upcoming continental tournament in Morocco.
The encounter, held at the Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium, formed part of both teams’ preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and delivered a fiercely contested contest between two West African rivals.
Burkina Faso made an explosive start, with Adama Congo finding the net just 40 seconds after kick-off. The early goal set the tone for a match played at a high tempo, as the visitors sought to avenge their 1-0 defeat in the first leg of the friendly series.
Senegal gradually grew into the game and restored parity in the 32nd minute, rewarding sustained attacking pressure. The hosts then took control in the second half, with captain Korka Fall converting from the penalty spot in the 64th minute to give her side a 2-1 advantage.
However, Burkina Faso responded in kind. Their captain, Charlotte Millogo, calmly converted a penalty in the 79th minute to level the score once again, ensuring the contest remained finely balanced heading into the closing stages.
The drama intensified late on when Salamata Kouanda appeared to have secured victory for Burkina Faso, scoring in the 84th minute to put the visitors ahead 3-2. With time running out, Senegal faced the prospect of defeat on home soil.
But Korka Fall proved decisive once more. Deep into stoppage time, at 90+6 minutes, she completed her hat-trick with another crucial goal, rescuing a draw for Senegal and capping a remarkable individual performance.
The six-goal encounter underlined the competitive edge between the two sides and highlighted both teams’ attacking capabilities, while also exposing defensive vulnerabilities that may need addressing before the continental tournament.
This action-packed and fiercely contested match sets the stage perfectly for both sides as they gear up for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
With just months remaining before the tournament, both Senegal and Burkina Faso will take valuable lessons from the encounter. The result suggests that neither side will be short of confidence going into the competition, having demonstrated resilience and scoring prowess in equal measure.
Ultimately, the draw reflected the balance between the two teams on the day, with neither able to assert full dominance. For supporters, it was a spectacle that showcased the growing quality and excitement of women’s football in West Africa.
