Superb Traore strike gives Burkina Faso third place as Ghana disappoint

Alain Traore's excellent late free kick gave Burkina Faso a 1-0 victory over Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations third place play-off.

Ghana were looking to overcome the disappointment of another tournament that almost delivered glory, and as the half progressed, they had good chances through Jordan Ayew and Bernard Tekpetey.

However, they were vulnerable on the break and almost conceded when Prejuce Nakoulma surged down the left before dragging his shot wide.

In the second half, Ghana continued to add on pressure and go close with Tekpetey and Jordan Ayew, but Burkino Faso clung on in defence, riding their luck but occasionally threating on the break.

With the game looking set for penalties, Traore rifled a curling free kick from a tight angle into the top corner to give his side a dramatic, impressive win.

With the excellent Bernard Tekpetey in attack, supported by Jordan Ayew and others, they created chances throughout the match. On each occasion, they wasted them. Ghana are traditionally one of the strongest sides in African football, but they will have to become more ruthless to impress yet again at the next World Cup.

Bernard Tekpetey looks like the most promising player of the whole tournament, but Traore's free-kick was such an impressive technical feat, and decided the game, that he has to be recognised for his effort.

Burkina Faso: Koffi 7, Yago 6, Dayo 6, B.Koné 6, Y.Coulibaly 6, B.Touré 6, Kaboré 6, B.Traoré 6, A.Traoré 7, Nakoulma 6, Bancé 5. Subs: Cyrille 7, Malo 6, Guira 6.

Ghana: R.Ofori 6, Afful 6, Amartey 6, Mensah 6, Yiadom 6, Badu 6, Thomas 5, E.Ofori 5, Tekpetey 7, J.Ayew 6, Tettey 5. Subs: Gyan 6, A. Ayew 6, Atsu 6.

25' - TEKPETEY CHANCE - Ayew whips in a corner for Tekpetey, it hits his own player, comes back to him and then he strikes it against the bar.

31' - JORDAN AYEW FREE KICK - Ayew, from the left, curls in a cross from a free kick. It's aimed toward the top corner, from a tight angle, and Koffi palms it away at full stretch.

34' - TEKPETEY SHOT - Tekpetey seizes on Kone's slip, has room for a shot from just outside the box, but it was just wide of goal, deflected off Kone.

60' - TEKPETEY HEADER - Another chance for Ghana. Another cross from the right, from Ayew, and Tekpetey thunders a header just over the bar.

89' - GOAL! Burkina Faso 1-0 Ghana. Alain Traore scores - Traore strikes a free kick from the corner of the box, fizzing and curling into the top corner past the 'keeper.

90+2' - AMARTEY MISS - Amartey's long shot is going wide, but the 'keeper puts it behind for a corner. From a corner, Amartey is unmarked, but he heads the ball onto his shoulder and wide.

Ghana managed just 6 shots on target from 15 taken, whereas Burkina Faso managed seven from 12.