GAOUA: Chelsea FC emerged victorious in the first edition of the Maracana Veterans Tournament, a competition reserved for former footballers aged 35 and over, by defeating the Doyens team in the final match held on the RTB field in Gaoua on Saturday, October 19, 2024. The tournament, which featured eight teams, concluded with Chelsea FC clinching the title with a narrow 1-0 victory.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the final was a closely contested match featuring two halves of twenty minutes each. Both teams engaged in a spirited display of football, although only Chelsea FC managed to break the deadlock. Siaka Barro scored the match’s sole goal with a decisive header in the 15th minute, securing the win for Chelsea FC. Despite the Doyens team’s efforts to level the score in the second half, they were unable to find the back of the net.
The victorious Chelsea FC and the runner-up Doyens team were awarded medals, gadgets, and a financial bonus for their efforts. The tournament’s promoter, Boubacar T
arnagda, expressed his satisfaction with the successful execution of the event, emphasizing the objective of providing a platform for former footballers to continue contributing to the sporting community. He highlighted the positive atmosphere during the matches as a key success factor.
Dieudonné Da, a former footballer and coach, attended the event as the guest of honor and praised the initiative. He noted the importance of such tournaments in fostering camaraderie and promoting physical and mental well-being among former players. Da encouraged the continuation of these events to strengthen community ties and support the sport’s influence.
The tournament enjoyed support from various partners, with Mahamadi Ouédraogo representing one of the event’s sponsors, expressing his satisfaction with the association. He acknowledged the role of veteran players in enhancing the profile of football and sports in general and committed to ongoing support for future editions of the tournament.
