Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – (African Boulevard News) – Burkina Faso head coach, Brahima Traore, has expressed his concerns about playing in a group of three teams, stating that it will be complicated and make their task difficult as they seek a ticket to the quarter finals of the TotalEnergies U17 AFCON tournament.
The tournament, which is currently taking place in Morocco, has been full of excitement and surprises, with several teams showing impressive form in the early stages. Burkina Faso is in Group B alongside Congo and Tanzania, and Traore believes their group will be particularly challenging due to the format of the competition.
Speaking to reporters after a training session, Traore said, “Playing in a group of three teams is always complicated. It makes it difficult because there is only one ticket to the quarter-finals. It means that every game is like a final”.
The coach went on to express his satisfaction with his team’s preparations for the tournament, noting that they have been working hard to ensure they are in the best possible shape for their opening game against Tanzania. He also highlighted the importance of taking things one game at a time and not underestimating any of their opponents.
“We have prepared well for this tournament, and the players are ready to give their best. We know that every game is important, and we cannot afford to take anything for granted. We respect all the teams in our group, and we will approach each game with a positive attitude”, Traore added.
Burkina Faso will kick off their campaign against Tanzania on Friday, December 17, at the Stade Municipal in Nouadhibou. The team will be looking to make a strong start to the tournament and build on their impressive form in the qualifiers, where they finished top of their group with three wins and a draw.
In conclusion, the TotalEnergies U17 AFCON tournament has been a keenly contested affair, with some exciting performances and surprise results. Burkina Faso will need to be at their best if they are to progress from their group, and Traore’s comments suggest that the team is well prepared for the challenge ahead. Fans of the Stallions will be hoping that they can replicate their impressive form in the qualifiers and go on to make a strong showing in the tournament.
