U20 Stallions: Bitter Defeat in the Francophone Games Final Against the Indomitable Lion Cubs – A Trophy Dream Shattered

The U20 Stallions of Burkina Faso suffered a setback in the final of the 9th Francophone Games on Sunday, August 6, 2023. Facing the Indomitable Lion Cubs of Cameroon, the Burkinabe team lost with a score of 2-1, marking their first defeat of the competition. This defeat once again left Brama Traoré’s proteges without a trophy, despite their efforts on the field at the Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa.

This wasn’t the first time that the U20 Stallions were in contention for a title this year. After narrowly missing out on the trophy in the UFOA-B competition, the Burkinabe team hoped to bounce back at the 9th Francophone Games. Unfortunately, fate had other plans.

The final was a match full of twists and turns. In the 20th minute, the Indomitable Lion Cubs put pressure on the Stallions with a shot that was stopped by the Burkinabe goalkeeper.

However, in the 25th minute, the Cameroonians managed to open the score, netting a goal through a well-executed team play.

Brama Traoré’s protégés did not give up despite this initial setback. In the 27th minute, Pierre Landry Kaboré took a shot, but his attempt was saved by the Cameroonian goalkeeper.

The U20 Stallions continued to create opportunities, but they couldn’t convert their chances in the first half, entering the halftime break trailing 1-0.

The second half saw a shift in dynamics. The Stallions, who had not been behind in the scoreline until then, showcased their determination to get back into the game.

In the 63rd minute, substitute Harouna Dicko finally scored for Burkina Faso, equalizing the score at 1-1.

The team was in good form and continued to exert pressure on the Indomitable Lion Cubs.

However, in the 79th minute, a slip in the Burkinabe penalty area resulted in a penalty in favor of the Cameroonians.

The penalty was successfully converted, giving Cameroon a 2-1 lead. Despite late efforts, the Stallions couldn’t overturn the situation.

At the final whistle, the U20 Stallions suffered another defeat in a final in less than a month, as the Indomitable Lion Cubs celebrated their victory. The Cameroonians thus achieved a remarkable performance, surpassing even their 1997 performance when they finished in third place.

Diallo Damba