Burkina Faso head coach Pascal Sawadogo expressed both pride and frustration following his team’s 1-0 victory over Burundi in the first leg of the 2026 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers on Sunday.
While the result put the Etalons Dames in a favorable position ahead of the return leg, Sawadogo admitted there were missed opportunities that could have secured a more comfortable advantage.
Despite the win, the coach was clear about the need for improvements before the decisive second leg.
“The main thing was to win, and we did it. Even if we could have scored many more goals, we keep the final result and the victory,” Sawadogo stated post-match. “Now, we will work to correct the mistakes. Even if we have very little time before the return match.”
The tightly contested encounter saw Burkina Faso dominate possession and create numerous scoring chances, but a lack of clinical finishing limited them to a single goal.
The team’s inability to capitalize on their attacking momentum left Sawadogo with mixed emotions, acknowledging the importance of the win while stressing the need for sharper execution in front of goal.
Burkina Faso’s goal came midway through the second half, following sustained pressure on the Burundian defense. However, a series of missed chances throughout both halves prevented the hosts from extending their lead, leaving the tie wide open ahead of the second leg.
Burundi, despite the defeat, showed resilience and will feel confident they can turn the tie around in the return fixture. Their defensive organization frustrated the Burkinabé forwards at times, and their late attacking surges hinted at a potential threat in the second leg.
Looking ahead to the crucial return match scheduled for February 26 at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako, Sawadogo emphasized the importance of staying focused and avoiding complacency. He acknowledged that the narrow margin leaves little room for error.
“We can’t afford to relax. We saw how dangerous Burundi can be on the counter-attack, and in football, one goal can change everything,” Sawadogo added. “We must be more efficient and take our chances when they come.”
For the Burundian side, the second leg offers a chance at redemption. Despite being on the back foot for much of the first match, they remain within touching distance of Burkina Faso and will aim to capitalize on any defensive lapses in the return fixture.
The winner of this tie will progress to the second round of the qualifiers, where they will face the victor between Togo and Djibouti. With a spot in the next stage of the Women’s AFCON qualifiers at stake, both teams are expected to approach the return leg with determination and urgency.
As Burkina Faso prepares to defend their slim lead, Sawadogo’s focus will be on refining his team’s attacking strategies while tightening their defensive shape to prevent Burundi from pulling off a comeback.
The return leg promises to be a decisive clash, with both sides still in contention for progression. For Sawadogo and his team, the task is clear—turn their first-leg advantage into a ticket to the next round.
