Burkina Faso finished third at the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), defeating Mali 2-1 in the playoff on Thursday night in Annaba to earn a spot on the podium.

The Burkinabe got some sweet retribution on the Malians for their group-stage matchup loss by a lone goal.

Burkina Faso will go home with a medal around their necks thanks to Appolinaire Bougma’s goal after the break and Ousmane Camara’s penalty in the first half.

Mali’s consolation goal was scored by Mamadou Doumbia in the second half; it was his fourth of the competition, although it did little to inspire a potential comeback.

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Mali fielded a significantly different team than Burkina Faso because coach Soumaila Coulibaly wanted to give every player the chance to experience continental football, but Burkina Faso entered the match with their complete squad.

Burkina Faso had the first opportunity to score when Camara’s curling shot went just wide in the 11th minute. Salif Noah Leintu of Mali nearly scored in the 19th minute, but Nouhoun Bamba, a defender, cleared the goal line.

After a competitive opening, Burkina Faso would finally break the tie when Camara converted a penalty in the 25th minute after Bougma was brought down in the area. The Malians have not previously conceded in this competition.

Before the half, they attempted to draw even, and Doumbia had two chances. The first was a long shot that missed the target, and the second came two minutes before the break when the goalkeeper pushed his header against the crossbar.

After the half, Burkina Faso just required two minutes to double their lead thanks to Bougma’s strike on a cross from the right by Camara.

Stunned and down by two goals, Mali made substitutions, bringing on rested players Angel Tia and Mahamoud Barry. Due to an increased offensive in the 58th minute, they were able to cut the deficit in half. Doumbia scored his fourth goal of the competition.

The goal gave the Malian team some hope, but Burkina Faso held on for the victory and a priceless bronze medal to dry their sorrows after missing out on the final.