The U23 team of Burkina Faso have been praised by the country’s government after stepping in to face Argentina in a friendly match following the senior national team’s refusal to travel to Buenos Aires.
The Stallions U23s returned to Ouagadougou on Monday, 5 October, after suffering a heavy 7-0 defeat against Argentina.
Despite the result, the players were given an official welcome at Ouagadougou International Airport, where a government delegation was present to receive them.
The delegation was led by the Minister of Sports and included the Minister-Secretary-General of the Government, Ambassador for Sport Charles KABORÉ and the president of the Burkina Faso Football Federation, Colonel Oumarou SAWADOGO.
The government’s reception reflected the unusual circumstances surrounding the match and the decision by the younger players to step into the senior team’s place.
The U23 squad had originally been preparing for the qualifiers for the U23 Africa Cup of Nations when they were called upon to travel to Argentina.
The senior Stallions had refused to make the trip after missing two flights, creating the possibility that the friendly would not take place.
With the match at risk of being cancelled, the federation turned to the U23 team to fulfil the fixture.
The young players travelled to Buenos Aires and faced Argentina despite having been assembled for a different purpose.
Argentina eventually won the match 7-0, but the result did not prevent the Burkina Faso government from praising the U23 players for responding when the national team needed them.
At their return to Ouagadougou, the Minister of Sports told the players: « Nous sommes fiers de vous. Vous avez posé un acte historique, un acte patriotique. Au-delà du score, nous voyons une victoire parce que nous avons pu relever le défi… Merci d’avoir répondu présents au moment où le pays avait besoin de vous. »
The government viewed the players’ decision to accept the assignment as an important contribution beyond the result on the pitch.
The unusual call-up came after the senior team had failed to travel following two missed flights. The federation then needed to find a solution that would allow the fixture against Argentina to go ahead.
The U23s were therefore called in to prevent the match from being lost and to help the country avoid possible FIFA sanctions.
Although the young side were heavily beaten by La Albiceleste, their willingness to take part was subsequently presented as an act of patriotism.
The Minister also praised the players for responding to the country’s needs at a difficult moment.
« We are proud of you. You have taken a historic step. Beyond the scoreline, we see a victory because we were able to rise to the challenge. We kept our word », the Minister said.
The episode has therefore left Burkina Faso with two contrasting outcomes: a significant defeat on the field and strong official praise for the players who made the trip possible.
The U23 team had been in camp preparing for their own continental qualifying campaign before being asked to take on the responsibility of representing the country against one of the world’s leading national sides.
Their involvement ensured that the planned friendly in Buenos Aires could proceed after the senior team declined to travel.
Following their return on Monday, the players were publicly recognised by government officials at the airport.
The reception underlined the importance placed on their decision to answer the federation’s call despite the difficult circumstances and the eventual 7-0 scoreline.
For the Burkina Faso U23s, the Argentina trip was therefore more than a conventional friendly. They were asked to step into an unexpected role, travelled to Buenos Aires and fulfilled the country’s commitment to the fixture before returning home to an official welcome.
