Ouagadougou: The Cadet Stallions of Burkina Faso emerged victorious in their match against the Young Pharaohs of Egypt, securing a 2-1 win at the Laarbi Zaouli stadium. This victory not only propelled them into the quarter-finals of the CAN U17 but also earned them a spot in the World Cup.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Issouf Bara and Ashsaraf Loukman Tapsoba were the key players for Burkina Faso, scoring in the 41st and 69th minutes, respectively. Bara's initial attempt came close to opening the score earlier in the match, but he eventually found the net just before halftime. Tapsoba, the team's top scorer, added to the tally, increasing his goal count for the tournament.
Egypt's attempts to counter were led by Belal Attia, who managed to reduce the deficit in the 77th minute. Despite Egypt's efforts in the final 20 minutes, including a notable save by Burkinabe U17 captain Fadil Barro, Burkina Faso maintained their lead.
Coach Oscar Barro expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, emphasizing the promise they made to their nation to qualify and their ambition to claim the title. The team's dominance in Group B was evident as they now lead with 6 points, ahead of South Africa, Cameroon, and Egypt.
The match saw Burkina Faso maintaining their territorial dominance throughout, and despite the cooling weather and a modest crowd of around 1,500 spectators, the team's focus remained unshaken. The Burkinabe squad will face South Africa next, while Egypt seeks redemption against Cameroon.
The game was officiated by a team of referees led by Brighton Chimene from Zimbabwe, with the match being played under sunny yet cool conditions, reflecting the atmosphere of determination and skill displayed on the field.