The Black Stars of Ghana failed to grab the bronze medal in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations after suffering a 1-0 defeat to the Stallions of Burkina Faso in Saturday’s third place match.

Ghana finished the competition outside the medal table with six changes to the team that lost the semi-final to Cameroon.

The Black Stars were the better side in the first 45 minutes as they created lots of chances but failed to hit the back of the net.

A late free kick from Alain Traore settled the tie as Ghana suffered their second consecutive defeat in the competition.

Jordan Ayew, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, and Bernard Tekpetey missed three goal-scoring opportunities in the first five minutes of the game.

Tekpetey came close again in the 24th minute after Burkina Faso failed to deal with a corner kick, but his effort hit the cross bar before goalkeeper Herve Koffi parried the ball over the bar.

Herve Koffi pulled a great save from a Jordan Ayew free kick that was curling into the corner five minutes after before Nakoulma missed a chance to put Burkina ahead from a swift counter attack which saw his effort miss the target after beating the Ghanaian defenders.

Ghana goalie Richard Ofori pulled two great saves but could not save a Traore free kick in the 89th minute which won the game for the Stallions.

Daniel Amartey could have forced the game into penalty shootouts had he converted with a free header from a corner, leaving the game 1-0 in favour of Burkina Faso.