Kamou Malo believes AFCON success for Burkina Faso can bring smile back to the country amid political crisis in the country.
Burkina Faso Head coach Kamou Malo believes that the country can smile again with success in the Africa Cup of Nations can amidst a Coup d’Etat and political instability back home since the start of the biennial continental showpiece.
The West African nation’s domestic crisis has intensified since Jan. 23 when military forces overthrew the government after outlining their discontent with the authorities’ inability to deal with increasing Islamist insurgency and armed terrorist attacks in the country.
Yet Malo, whose Stallions side face Senegal in Wednesday’s first semifinal at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde, believes that events back in his homeland can serve as additional motivation for the Nations Cup outsiders.
“For several years we’ve had to face terrorism which hasn’t stopped plunging our people into mourning,” he told journalists on Tuesday. “Our objective now is to bring back a smile to our population.
“If we can, through our sporting endeavours, give hope, we won’t compromise any effort. What’s been going on back home represents an additional motivation for us.”
Burkina Faso defeated Gabon on penalties in the round of 16 only hours after gunfire was heard at the presidential residence and other sites in the capital Ouagadougou, before dispatching Tunisia 1-0 in the quarterfinals to progress.
President Roch Kabore was detained and subsequently deposed from his position, with the military seizing power in the country.
“We’ve dedicated our qualification thus far to our people who are living through such political and social events,” former police officer Malo added. “We know that our achievements will be remembered by our people, and we’re keen to give them the trophy.”
Source: ESPN
