U-17 AFCON: Oscar Barro satisfied but cautious after the victory against Cameroon
- panafricafootball
- Mar 31
- 2 min read
EDITOR NOTE: This article is translated from the original written in French by Hilary Christelle Tolo Kpadonou for Pan-Africa Football.
Burkina Faso Stallions coach Oscar Barro did not hide his satisfaction after his players' 2-1 victory against Cameroon.
However, even though it was a very good result to celebrate, Barro remains cautious about the rest of the competition as every match will count toward the final objective.
"It's a feeling of satisfaction because we played against a very competitive team. A very good Cameroonian team that gave us a lot of trouble. We were very efficient, which allowed us to take a step toward our goal," emphasized Barro, who pointed to team spirit as a factor in the victory.
"It was our competitive, fighting spirit that allowed us to stay strong and hold on to take the three points. We developed our plan, which worked well. The young players didn't give up and they kept their heads (high) to achieve the final victory."
Areas for Improvement
Despite this victory, not everything was perfect according to Barro. "We lost a lot of balls that we could have used differently. So, don't rush, stay calm, and further improve our individual technical skills. We mustn't get carried away, it's only the first match," he warned.
With three points in hand, Burkina Faso takes a lead over a direct opponent, but "we must keep our feet on the ground, continue working, and build on today's achievements, especially so as not to lose."
Goal: World Cup Qualification and the Trophy
Burkina Faso won the bronze medal at the last U-17 AFCON in 2023. But the Young Stallions coach is intent on capturing the continental title this time around.
"After the bronze medal, we can only go for the continental trophies. Especially since we qualified at the top of our zone, we can't hide anymore. The goal is clear. First, it's to qualify for the World Cup, as our predecessors did, and second, it's to go for the Africa Cup of Nations, for the U-17s for our country," he says ambitiously.
