Hungry for more: Burkina Faso history maker Dango Ouattara eyes more Premier League match balls

Burkina Faso superstar Dango Ouattara made PL history at the weekend.

Hungry for more: Burkina Faso history maker Dango Ouattara eyes more Premier League match balls

Izuchukwu Akawor • Izuchukwu Akawor • 10:31 - 27.01.2025

Dango Ouattara became the first player from Burkina Faso to go home with the Premier League match ball.

Burkina Faso’s Dango Ouattara has reacted after writing his name in the Premier League record books with Bournemouth on Saturday. 

Ouattara became the first-ever player from Burkina Faso to score a hat-trick in the competition as he inspired Bournemouth to a dominant 5-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the Vitality Stadium, extending their unbeaten run to 11 matches and reigniting their hopes for a top-four finish.

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The match began with Justin Kluivert opening the scoring in the ninth minute, capitalising on a swift counter-attack to fire a low shot into the bottom corner. 

Despite Nottingham Forest’s efforts to respond, including a close-range volley from Ryan Yates that was saved by Bournemouth’s Kepa Arrizabalaga, the home side maintained control throughout the game.

Dango and his Bournemouth teammates.
Dango and his Bournemouth teammates.

Ouattara’s historic moment came to life in the second half. Ten minutes after the break, he met Kluivert’s cross with a precise header to double Bournemouth’s lead. Kluivert thought he had added another goal shortly after, but VAR ruled him offside, denying the Dutchman his second of the match.

However, the spotlight remained firmly on Ouattara. The Burkina Faso international displayed his brilliance with two more goals, the first following a dazzling solo run past multiple defenders and the second capitalising on a costly mistake from Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels. 

Dango Ouattara with the match ball.

With his hat-trick, Ouattara not only sealed a resounding victory for Bournemouth but also reached a personal milestone, taking his goal involvements this season to 10 (six goals and four assists), surpassing his total from his first two seasons combined.

After the match, Ouattara took to social media to reflect on his achievement. “𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘆!” he posted. 

Ouattara celebrates one of the goals against Forest!

“It’s an amazing feeling to score my first hat-trick in the Premier League and especially at home. Another great 3 points, hungry for more,” he added on X, formerly Twitter.

The result was a significant blow to Forest, who suffered their first defeat in nine league matches. The loss dented their European aspirations as they fell further behind league leaders Liverpool. 

Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s victory moved them to within one point of the top four, keeping their dreams of a Champions League spot alive.

Ouattara’s historic hat-trick will be remembered as a defining moment in their season. With the Burkina Faso star declaring he is “hungry for more,” fans will be keen to see what he and his team can achieve in the weeks to come.