Casablanca: The Cadet Stallions of Burkina Faso and the Elephant Cubs of C´te d’Ivoire are gearing up for an intense West African derby as they prepare to face off in the battle for third place in the U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). This highly anticipated match is set to take place at the Laarbi Zaouli stadium in Casablanca, promising a thrilling encounter between two of the tournament’s standout strikers.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the spotlight will be on Burkinabe striker Ashsaraf Tapsoba and his Ivorian counterpart Alynho Hadara. Tapsoba, who has already netted seven goals in the competition, will lead the Burkinabe attack, hoping to secure his position as the tournament’s top scorer. Meanwhile, Hadara, with six goals to his name, will aim to outshine his rival in this high-stakes clash.
Burkinabe coach Oscar Barro expressed his confidence in Tapsoba’s abilities, stating, “It’s a duel, whether we like it or not, but I would like my player to finish top scorer because he deserves it. He’s a real goalscorer, a boy full of talent.” Barro acknowledged the quality of the Ivorian center-forward while highlighting Tapsoba’s consistent performance throughout the tournament.
Ivorian coach Bassiriki Diabat© praised both strikers, describing them as “two magnificent players, two killers.” He emphasized the significance of Africa continuing to produce top-quality strikers and refrained from comparing the two young talents. Diabat© stated, “Between Tapsoba and Alynho, there is no duel. That’s 13 goals for two boys, and it’s magnificent. I admire these two youngsters.”
Diabat© highlighted Hadara’s development, noting his training at the academy of former Burkinabe football star Aristide Banc©. “Today, he has progressed through hard work,” Diabat© remarked. “He proved that he too can make his own way. Above all, he proved that he is hungry, and that he is looking for food.”
The rivalry between Burkina Faso and C´te d’Ivoire takes on added significance following their previous encounter during the UFOA-B qualifying final in Ghana last year, where Tapsoba scored twice to lead Burkina Faso to a 3-1 victory.
The head-to-head match between these two sides is scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, April 18, at 7 p.m. GMT (8 p.m. local time), setting the stage for an enthralling contest that will capture the attention of football fans across the continent. Meanwhile, the grand final between host country Morocco and Mali will be played at 3 p.m. local time at the El Bachir stadium in Mohammedia, following a change in schedule by the CAF.