6th February, 2022
By Victor Okoye
Bertrand Traoré, the Stallions of Burkina Faso captain, has expressed disappointment over the team’s failure to win their third place playoff at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.
Traoré who won the man-of-the-match award, blamed the loss on his team mates, saying that it was a result of what he referred to as ‘professional misconduct’ on their part.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Burkina Faso team which had a three-goal lead at the end of the first half, let their goal advantage slip as the hosts completed a comeback and forced the match to penalties.
Cameroon made no mistakes from the spot as they converted all five kicks, while Burkina Faso’s Ibrahim Toure missed his spot kick as the Indomitable Lions finished third and won bronze in the tournament.
The captain speaking at a post-match news conference noted that the game was theirs to lose, adding that the result had ruined their course.
“I’m very disappointed after this result. We had the game in our hands.
“We were leading 3-0 before being caught a few seconds from the end of the game.
“Its professional misconduct because we had everything to win the game. This result comes to ruin our course,” he said.
Kamou Malo, Burkina Faso coach also expressed disappointment at the result, adding that the result was strange and hard to understand.
“Its hard to explain what happened tonight. We were leading 3-0 and then the Cameroonians came back.
“It’s a rare situation in football. I’m sad.
“It’s a first AFCON for me. I am discovering the big competitions.
“I have experienced great things but also difficult situations. We have achieved an excellent cause,” he said.
The 33rd edition of the AFCON which began on Jan. 9, is expected to end with a colourful closing and the final match at Olembe’s Paul Biya Stadium in Yaounde on Sunday