Duarte over the moon with quarters berth
Burkina Faso coach Paulo Duarte is over the moon after a 2-0 win over Guinea Bissau on Sunday in Franceville earned ‘Les Etalons’ a place at the knockout stage for the first time since 2013.
A Rudinilson Silva first half own-goal and Bertrand Kabore’s superb strike midway in the second half was all the Burkinabes needed to secure top spot of Group A, ahead of Cameroon via superior goals (5 points each), who ousted hosts Gabon after a barren draw in the other Group A clash in Libreville.
It is the third time the West African landlocked country has gone beyond the group stage. The first, when they hosted the biennial championship in 1998 and 15-years later in South Africa, where they recorded their best ever outing, losing 0-1 to Nigeria in the final.
However, what makes the feat so special for Duarte is the fact that it took him seven years to achieve the historic accomplishment and on his third participation in the flagship continental football event. On his previous outings with Les Etalons in 2010 (in Angola) and 2012 (in Equatorial Guinea & Gabon), the Burkinabes crashed out in the first round.
“It wasn’t the group of death. I mean any of the four teams could top the group. My players took the responsibility and I’m happy.
“I congratulate Guinea Bissau who exhibited a high level performance, and showed signs of a good future. They (Guinea Bissau) played very well but it did not pay in the end. They had a couple of corners and free-kick, which makes them dangerous.
“There is always a day to win and another to lose. It’s our first victory in the tournament and it came at the right time,” said the 47-year old Portuguese.
Duarte’s side will come up against the runner-up in Group B for a place at the semis, with Algeria, Tunisia and Zimbabwe possible opponents. But his main source of worry is the growing injuries in his squad. Spain-based forward Jonathan Zongo has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament whilst veteran Jonathan Pitroipa and defender Issouf Paro played no part in the victory over debutants Guinea Bissau due to injuries.
“My worry is never the opponent but the injuries to my team. After every game, I have a player injured and that is a problem. Injuries are always a concern”
With five days before their next match, he is hoping that Pitroipa and Paro will make inroads in their recovery and make the team for the quarters.
For the records, ‘Les Etalons’ have yet to lose a game at the last eight, beating Tunisia 8-7 on penalties in 1998 in Ouagadougou, before accounting for Togo 1-0 after extra time in Nelspruit, South Africa in 2013.
Meanwhile, runners-up in Group A, Cameroon will face Senegal in the quarter-final next Saturday in Franceville in a repeat of the 2002 final.