Angola finished top of Group D at the Africa Cup of Nations finals, defeating Burkina Faso 2-0 on Tuesday thanks to striker Mabululu’s first-half header and Zini’s stoppage-time finish.
Angola finished with seven points, while Burkina Faso came in second with four. Mauritania was third with three points following an upset win over Algeria, which knocked the top seeds from the tournament in the Ivory Coast, in yet another surprise of the competition.
Mabululu’s 36th-minute header at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium came as Burkina Faso’s Bertrand Traore failed to clear a free kick from Angola captain Fredy and the striker headed home at the near post for his second goal of the tournament.
He had also scored in their opening match, which they drew 1-1 with Algeria.
Substitute Zini scored as he reacted quickest after Jeremie Bela’s effort at the start of stoppage time had been parried by Burkina goalkeeper Herve Koffi.
Burkina Faso, with Bournemouth’s Dango Ouattara leading their efforts on his return to the team from injury, looked the better of the two sides in a languid affair but they were not able to break down the stubborn Angola defence and had few chances.
Isaa Kabore, flying down the right flank, had a good chance after 26 minutes but put his effort wide while Traore’s 70th-minute shot was blocked.
Djibril Ouattara went close from a corner in stoppage time as Burkina kept up the pressure but then Zini doubled Angola’s advantage.
It was only the second time in nine finals appearances that Angola had topped their opening round group. The other was when they hosted the tournament in 2010 but were then immediately eliminated in the knockout stage.
In the last-16, Angola will play against one of the best third-placed finishers, which are yet to be settled, in Bouake on Saturday.
Burkina Faso face the winner of Group E, which will be settled on Wednesday, with the knockout game to be played next Tuesday in Korhogo.
