Burkina Faso coach Issa Balboné has called on his players to respond with character and determination as they prepare to face the Central African Republic in their second Group B fixture at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024.
After a disappointing start to their campaign, the Stallions A’ find themselves in urgent need of a response.
The West African side opened their tournament with a frustrating 2-0 defeat to Tanzania, a result that has put them on the back foot in a group where margins for error are slim.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday’s encounter, Balboné did not hide his dissatisfaction with the performance, but was quick to shift focus towards redemption.
I never imagined we would put 10 goals past Tanzania, but I certainly wasn’t expecting a defeat either, Balboné admitted. That chapter is now behind us. We must learn, correct, and move forward. The next opponents will have to bear the brunt of our response.
The Stallions A’ coach was firm in his message to his squad, emphasizing the need for a reset and a relentless push to secure a place in the knockout stages.
We have no choice but to win all our remaining matches if we are to reach the quarter-finals, he stated.
Burkina Faso’s upcoming match against the Central African Republic has now taken on heightened importance.
Scheduled for Wednesday, August 6, at 2 p.m. GMT, it presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Balboné’s men to get their campaign back on track.
A victory would not only keep their quarter-final hopes alive but also serve as a much-needed morale boost following their opening defeat.
While Burkina Faso seeks redemption, the Central African Republic will be entering the competition for the first time in this edition.
Despite their lack of experience at CHAN, the Fauves A’ are determined to make an impression and will not be mere bystanders.
Their presence adds another layer of unpredictability to what promises to be a tightly contested fixture.
For Balboné and his players, however, the message is clear: nothing short of victory will suffice. The Stallions A’ know that failure to collect three points could see their ambitions unravel prematurely, making Wednesday’s match a defining moment in their CHAN 2024 journey.
