Burkina Faso / The Stallions face Eswatini: Steeve Yago will miss out in Marrakech

Preparations for The Stallions of Burkina Faso’s crucial match against Eswatini in Marrakech, including the final day of the CAN 2023 qualifiers, have been marked by some bad news. Steeve Yago, the international defender of Aris Limassol (football Club in modern Greek), has been forced to withdraw from the match with a knee injury, according to an announcement by the national team’s medical staff on Monday 04 September.

Just as Burkina Faso’s national team, the Etalons, had arrived in Marrakech, where they were to set up base camp in preparation for the crucial match against Eswatini, some shocking news was added to the preparations. The news has caused concern within the team, as the match against Eswatini is decisive for qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, followed by a friendly against Morocco.

The precise nature of Steeve Yago’s injury has not been disclosed by the Burkinabe Football Federation (FBF). However, it has been revealed that the injury occurred during his club Aris Limassol’s last match in the Cypriot league. The injury has prevented the versatile Stallions defender from rejoining the national team for upcoming matches.

Despite Steeve Yago’s importance to the team, Stallions coach Hubert Velud has decided not to replace him. This decision is mainly due to an already tight preparation schedule for the national team. The Stallions will therefore have to face Eswatini and Morocco without one of their key players.

Steeve Yago’s injury comes on top of the previous absences of Bertrand Traoré and Dango Ouattara, making this the third Stallions to miss this international break. These absences present additional challenges for the Burkina Faso national team, who will need to show resilience and determination if they are to achieve their objectives in their forthcoming matches against Eswatini and Morocco. The Stallions’ supporters hope that, despite these obstacles, their team will succeed in qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and putting in a good performance. For his part, the Head of State, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, continues to give his support to his Stallions for the triumph of the homeland of integrity.

Adjoa