Casablanca: Burkina Faso Cadet Stallions coach Oscar Barro expressed confidence in his team’s ability to overcome Mali in the U17 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final, with a strategic plan in place to secure a spot in the final, as reported by AIB.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Coach Barro, speaking at a pre-match press conference in Casablanca, emphasized the significance of the upcoming match against Mali, describing it as the most crucial game for his team. He stated, “We are taking this match with great interest to reach the final. It’s a decisive match for us.” The semi-final clash is set to be a West African derby, with both teams having a history of encounters in the tournament.
Burkina Faso enters the match as favorites, having delivered a flawless performance with four consecutive wins in the tournament. Coach Barro acknowledged this status, noting, “It’s a plus for us to be the favorites especially since the opponents coming in will take that into account.” Despite this, he remains cautious about Mali’s capabilities, recognizing their strong track record and individual talent.
Barro highlighted the psychological and tactical dimensions of the match, citing past interactions with Mali as a basis for their preparation. “Psychological because we have already played this Malian team in Mali. They are very strong with individualities. Tactical because we have also met them. We know their strengths and we know our limitations as well, and we are working to avoid being surprised,” he stated.
With a “little plan” based on previous friendly matches against Mali, Barro believes in his team’s cohesion and ability to counter Mali’s technical strengths. The team’s preparation included two friendly matches resulting in a victory and a draw. Reflecting on the last U17 AFCON in Algeria in 2023, where Burkina Faso claimed bronze after beating Mali in the classification match, Barro is keen to repeat the success.
The coach also emphasized the emotional impact of representing Burkina Faso, mentioning the significance of receiving the national flag before the tournament. “Every time the anthem is played in front of us, it affects the children. We must return home raising this flag as high as possible,” he remarked. Goalkeeper Prince Ou©draogo echoed this sentiment, affirming the team’s determination to win.
Meanwhile, Mali’s coach Adama Diallo maintained that both teams have an equal chance of victory, underscoring the competitive nature of the semi-final. “There are no favorites at this stage of the competition,” he asserted.