The President of Faso and Head of State, Captain Ibrahim TRAORÉ, received the U17 Stallions this Tuesday at the Koulouba Palace. The purpose of the audience was to congratulate the national team for their commendable performance in Morocco and to encourage these young talents for future challenges.
Returning from Morocco, where they finished fourth in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for their age group, the U17 Stallions were given wise and valuable advice from President TRAORÉ.
The Head of State praised the team for their performance during the group stages and for qualifying for the World Cup in their category. However, he expressed disappointment over their lack of focus in the last two matches. « You should have regrets, because that trophy should have been yours », the President pointed out, adding: « Stay focused until the end. As long as the final whistle hasn’t blown, don’t stop. »
Encouraging the team not to lose hope and to remain composed, Captain TRAORÉ emphasized that mental strength is what sets teams apart, calling on the players to be resilient, “just like the Burkinabè people”.
Looking ahead, the President urged the young players to maintain a healthy lifestyle, stay away from bad habits, and adopt responsible behavior. “Each of you has talent. Keep training, improving, and pushing your limits”, he said, challenging them to aim high in upcoming competitions.
He also called on the technical staff to closely monitor and guide these young players, ensuring solid preparation for the higher categories.
The Minister of Sports, Anûuyirtole Roland SOMDA, expressed his gratitude to the President, stating that the advice would serve to further motivate the team.
For his part, U17 team captain Fadil Adama BARRO thanked the President for the support provided during the tournament and vowed to raise Burkina Faso’s flag even higher at the World Cup and beyond.
