Burkina Faso minister defends Argentina trip after 7-0 defeat

The Burkina Faso government made the best decision available after a private flight to Buenos Aires was cancelled twice, Sports, Youth and Employment Minister Annick Lydie Pickbougoum/Zingue Ouattara has said.

The Etalons suffered a heavy 7-0 defeat by Argentina, but the minister said the result should be viewed alongside the logistical problems that affected the delegation’s journey to the Argentine capital.

“Seven-nil hurts. I am a sportswoman myself, and nobody is happy when they lose, whatever the circumstances,” she said. “But I believe we made the best choice.”

Pickbougoum/Zingue Ouattara was speaking at a joint panel held by the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Employment and the Ministry of Higher Education. The event formed part of the government exhibition Dialogue avec le peuple.

She said several options had been considered to transport the Burkina Faso delegation, including arranging a direct private charter flight to Buenos Aires.

However, that plan was cancelled twice. The final cancellation came on 30, as the players were preparing to leave for the airport from Place de la Revolution.

“The very last one was cancelled at the exact moment on the 30th, when we were at Place de la Revolution and the players were preparing to go to the airport,” she said. “We all received the organiser’s message that the flight had been cancelled. In that situation, you have to save what can be saved, and that is what we tried to do.”

The minister did not give details of any possible action following the defeat by Argentina.

She said President of Faso Ibrahim Traore had already addressed the situation and announced that decisions would be made during the week.

Pickbougoum/Zingue Ouattara said she would wait for those announcements, while acknowledging the difficulty of accepting the result against the Albiceleste.