U17 World Cup – Burkina Faso out: fans say "they played for the scouts"

Burkina Faso U17's elimination from the 2023 World Cup has been hard to swallow. The Burkinabè hoped right to the end of reaching the second round of the competition, but defeats against France (3-0) and the United States (2-1) did not help matters. Their only win of the tournament came against South Korea (2-1). After the exit, disappointment is great, even if the players' run was remarkable.

"There was room to qualify"

It was a "frustrating" exit, according to Burkina Faso U17 coach Brahima Traoré and his players, who did not hold back in speaking about the failure. "This elimination hurts. We set ourselves the goal of going all the way in the competition. But alas," admits Traoré. "We were deeply hurt by this elimination. Against France and the United States, we had chances that could have won us those games. Unfortunately we could not take them. We lost on small details that we will work to put right", said Fayçal Traoré. "There are regrets. I think luck was not on our side either. Personally I had two one-on-ones but I could not put the ball in the net. I regret it because there was room to qualify," says Apollinaire Bougma.

"Our young Étalons spent their time playing at being Messi and Ronaldo"

Disappointed by their exit from the U17 World Cup, some supporters were not gentle with their team in their comments. That is the case with Daniel Lengani: "Serves us right. In a high-level competition, you cannot string together defeats. If you can't win, you need a draw. We were out of our depth from the first two games against France and the United States. So this elimination does not surprise us. Look at the collective play and understanding Mali, Senegal and Morocco showed in their matches. Our young Étalons spent their time playing at being Messi and Ronaldo with individual play in a competition where teamwork is a sure weapon".

Théophile Sawadogo: "The opposite would have surprised me, congratulations all the same on taking part, tradition has been respected, next time you will learn to play as a team rather than playing individually". "Everyone went out to play with the aim of getting signed by the scouts, forgetting that they went to defend a whole country. It's a shame. What they forget is that those same scouts will not agree to take a player who plays too individually. These are the consequences. They will be going home early. It's a shame," concludes Josué Kafando.

Disappointed, but still proud

Other supporters share the disappointment but are still proud of this Burkina Faso U17 side and of their run at the 2023 U17 World Cup. They also remain optimistic about a better showing next time. Éric Zongo: "I think they made us dream. They gave everything, it's just that qualification was not meant to be. I am also convinced of one thing: every player who steps onto the pitch has the courage to win. All teams, like the Étalons, play to win as well. Let's be sporting. Let's accept the elimination. No team is invincible forever on this earth. It's a chance for them to learn lessons. Congratulations on taking part. Keep your heads up".

Also proud of his team, Issa Traoré thinks that "this is the top level and there are mistakes you must not make. You cannot leave your fate to another match. You had to show it from the first minutes. Sadly, the finding is bitter. We must learn from our mistakes and come back stronger. We had something to offer in this competition. However, our lack of concentration, of finishing in front of goal and on top of that not playing as a team cost us dearly. Now, it was about saving face. And that is what they did against South Korea. That pleases me."

Ablam GNAMESSO