Burkina Faso coach Seydou Zerbo is still upbeat that his side will proceed to the quarter finals despite a shock 1-0 defeat to Mali in the opening match of the Africa Nations Championship in Cameroon Saturday.
A 70th minute header by Mali’s left-back Siaka Bagayoko at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium means that the Burkina Faso must beat Zimbabwe who lost to Cameroon by the same margin, and the hosts, if they are to progress to the next stage.
“It’s up to us to correct our mistakes in order to have good matches in the future and achieve our goal of qualifying to the second round,” Zerbo said in a post match interview.
“We have to think about the game against Zimbabwe which is very important to us. After that, we will focus on the last match against hosts Cameroon.”
Cameroon also needed a second half goal to kick off their campaign on a positive note.
Salomon Banga was the hero for the Indomitable Lions who needed a 72nd goal to see off a stubborn Zimbabwe at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium.
With Malia and Cameroon both tied on three points, the next match will be interesting for both teams in Group A.
“Against Cameroon, we hope to see a good match between two teams playing good football,” Mali tactician Nouhoum Diané was quoted by Cafonline.
Zdravko Logarusic whose Zimbabwean side fell in the first hurdle, is also upbeat that he will turn the tides when he faces Burkina Faso.
“This is not the end of the world. We will play two more games and we have every chance of securing a place in the quarterfinals. It’s up to us to study our mistakes and correct them before our next meeting against Burkina Faso.”
Day two of the action will pit Libya against Niger as Congo and DR Congo clash in the ‘Lingala Derby’.
