Casablanca: In a gripping semi-final clash at the U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Mali’s Aiglonnets soared to a 2-0 victory over Burkina Faso’s Cadet Stallions at the Laarbi Zaouli stadium in Casablanca, Morocco. The encounter saw Mali dominate possession and execution, leading to their advancement to the tournament’s final.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Burkina Faso’s team faced a strategically prepared Mali squad. From the onset, Mali’s Aiglonnets took control of the game, effectively neutralizing Burkina Faso’s key player and top scorer of the competition, Ashsaraf Tapsoba. His efforts were thwarted by Mali’s Berthe Tiémoko, who played a pivotal role in the central defense.
Malian coach Adama Diefla Diallo had anticipated a challenging match, acknowledging the physical prowess of the Burkinabe team. “It was a battle. We knew the opponent was colossus,” Diallo stated. His strategy involved an anti-Tapsoba plan, which successfully limited the striker’s impact on the game. Soumaila Fané opened
the scoring for Mali with a precise shot from the edge of the 18-meter line, beating Burkina Faso’s goalkeeper, Prince Ouédraogo, just before halftime.
Maintaining their momentum, Mali returned from the break with continued possession, further frustrating their opponents. Despite Burkina Faso’s efforts to respond, they struggled to capitalize on opportunities in front of the goal. Mali’s control was cemented with a second goal by Mahamadou Traoré, sealing the victory and crushing Burkina Faso’s hopes for a final berth.
Post-match, Burkina Faso’s coach Oscar Barro acknowledged the superiority of the Mali team but expressed dissatisfaction with the refereeing. He highlighted uncalled fouls against Tapsoba, which he believed hindered their performance. “From the very beginning, they caused us problems,” Barro admitted, while also pointing out what he perceived as a lackluster officiating effort.
Despite the setback, Barro vowed to rally his team for the third-place playoff against Ivory Coast. “We will remobi
lize to go and play for this third place with all the commitment we have had since the beginning of this tournament,” he asserted. Meanwhile, Mali will face host country Morocco in the grand final.
The AFCON U17 tournament in Morocco is set to conclude on April 19, with both the third-place and final matches promising intense competition.