OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Captain Ibrahim TRAORÉ, President of Faso, held a meeting with the U17 Étalons at the Koulouba Palace. The President praised the national team for their honorable performance at the African Cup of Nations (CAN) in Morocco and encouraged the young athletes for future challenges.
After returning from Morocco, where they finished in fourth place, the U17 team received valuable advice from President TRAORÉ. He commended the players for their efforts in the group stages and for qualifying for the World Cup in their age category. However, he expressed concern about their lack of focus during the last two matches. “You should have regrets because this cup should have belonged to you,” TRAORÉ pointed out. He stressed the importance of remaining focused until the final whistle: “As long as the game is on, you don’t stop.”
Encouraging the U17 players to stay motivated and calm, TRAORÉ remarked that mental strength is what distinguishes successful teams, urging them to be resilient “like the Burkinabè people.”
Looking towards the future, the President urged the young players to maintain a healthy lifestyle, avoid vices, and act responsibly. “Each of you has a talent. Keep training, perfecting, and improving yourselves,” he advised, challenging them to perform well in upcoming competitions.
The President also called on the coaching staff to closely supervise these young talents, ensuring a strong pipeline for higher categories. Minister of Sports, Anûuyirtole Roland SOMDA, expressed gratitude to President TRAORÉ, stating that the guidance provided would greatly motivate the team.
Captain of the U17 team, Fadil Adama BARRO, thanked the President for the support they received during the CAN and promised to raise the flag of Burkina Faso high at the World Cup and future events.
