Burkina Faso head coach Brahima Traore said they have their sights on winning the third-place match against Mali with the hopes of ending their U-17 Africa Cup of Nations campaign on a high note.
Les Etalons were denied the chance of qualifying for the final of the tournament after losing 5-4 on penalties to Senegal.
Traore revealed he understands his boys’ disappointment at the defeat but believes they are ready to win the bronze medal and end with a podium finish.
“Of course, it was a disappointment for us not to achieve the second of our targets which is to win the trophy,” Traore told CAF website. “We couldn’t make it and now we have another medal to play for.
“The players are motivated to get the bronze medal because we want it to be a memory for them.”
The Burkinabes coach added that his side is well prepared for the meeting, having had time to get themselves fully ready for the tie.
“We gave the players rest yesterday (Tuesday) because we travelled and also played a very tough match and also hadn’t had enough time to recover,” Traore added.
“We needed them to be well rested and physically ready because it is another difficult match ahead of us.
“For us, every match is a final and this will be the same too. We will go hard and try to get a result.”
Les Etalon lost 1-0 to their third-place opponent, Mali, in the group stages, and Traore and his boys will hope to make things right when both sides clash against each other at the 19 May 1956 Stadium in Annaba on Thursday at 8 p.m. WAT.
WATCH THIRD-PLACE GAME BETWEEN MALI AND BURKINA FASO LIVE ON AFROSPORT TV AT 8PM (WEST AFRICAN TIME).
