Burkina Faso Vs Senegal: ‘We Will Miss Dango Outtara,’ — Herve Koffi

Present at the pre-match press conference hours before their historic clash against Senegal, Burkinabe goalie Herve Koffi has opined that the presence of Dango Outtara will be greatly missed.

‘We know what awaits us. We know that Senegal is a big football nation and we know how to approach the game. We will miss Dango but we have players who can replace him. We are a team and a family,’ aired the 25-year-old RSC Charleroi goalie.

Ouattara was the lone scorer of Burkina Faso in their semi-finals triumph against Tunisia. The youngster led the attack in the absence of skipper, Bertrand Traoré.

It turned out to be a bittersweet evening for the midfeilder who later got himself sent off, following a VAR review, after an elbow on Ali Maaloul as the pair challenged in the air, at the 83rd minute. The referee initially showed Ouattara a yellow card, but it was upgraded to red after he consulted the replays.

Outtara prior to that game had already registered an assist for the Stallions against Gabon in the round of 16.

Goalkeeper Herve has kept two clean sheets on his way to his second AFCON semis after that of 2017.

He is positive that his team will definitely give the Teranga Lions a good run for their money.

‘The most important is to go as far as we can. I am satisfied with my teammates so far. It wasn’t easy from the start and you all could clearly see that we weren’t among favourites.

‘We will give all to win this trophy starting with our game tomorrow.’

Quizzed on whether the young Burkinabe side is feeling the heat of the moment, Koffi replied, stating that pressure is inevitable, but his teammates are looking to turn it to positive energy.

‘It is football and we don’t play football without pressure. It is however, positive pressure and we have the desire to do well,’ Koffi ended.

Of all the stars who have come and gone, neither of Senegal nor Burkina Faso are yet to clutch the coveted AFCON trophy. Senegal have been thwarted twice at the finals; 2002 and 2019. For Burkina Faso, they lost to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the 2013 AFCON finals.

Coach Kamou Malo and Aliou Cisse have put up all machinery intact to ensure a victory tomorrow. The game is on at 8:00 pm local time at the Amadou Ahidjio stadium.