U-17 AFCON: Cameroon and Burkina Faso both Anticipate Victory

Cameroon will take on Burkina Faso this Sunday May 7 at the Annaba Omnisports Stadium for a very decisive game at the under 17 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria.

Cameroon must win this second game against Burkina Faso in order to qualify for the quarterfinals of the tournament.

Cameroon’s under 17 lions are at the bottom of group C with three teams while Mali has already advanced to the next stage of the competition after winning their two games against Cameroon and Burkina Faso.

Serge Mimpo, Coach of the U17 lions said he is aware of the stakes of Sunday’s game and has since before the competition been training the boys to play in such circumstances.

He agreed they had better scoring chances in their first defeat against Mali and have worked on a better attacking line for the Burkina Faso encounter.

Serge Mimpo said there is always pressure to the build up of the games but he is counting on his boys’ fighting spirit to win their second group C game.

For Balla Henri, member of the U17 lions squad, he admitted that the game against Mali was the first international competition for him and teammates hence, it exerted some pressure on them.

Balla agreed they have to be more decisive in front of their opponents goal post and not miss out on chances like they did against Mali on May 4.

Burkina Faso’s Perspective on Encounter with Cameroon

Brahima Toure, the under 17 couch for Burkina Faso said in this Thursday’s prematch press conference that they are not pressured but rest in concentration ahead of their game against Cameroon this Sunday.

The tactician made it clear that they stand at a vantage point where they need only a draw against Cameroon to qualify for the quarterfinals.

Although feeling confident, he said he is aware Cameroon will be coming with all they’ve got for the three points, this thus motivates them to minimize the risks of mistakes in the field of play.

Landry Yameogo, player with the Burkina Faso team says they are confident ahead of their last group game.

“After Mali’s defeat we were all frustrated but we are highly motivated for tomorrow’s game. We are here to win all the three points. We are not looking at the fact that they (Cameroon) are tittle holders or they recorded more goals in defeat than us. We are here to play for a win.”

The match pitting Cameroon against Burkina Faso will be played this Sunday May 7, 2023 at the Annaba Omnisports Stadium in Algeria at 8pm local time.

Bruno Ndonwie Funwie, Algeria