Following Burkina Faso’s 2-0 win against Tunisia in the first quarter final at the 2017 AFCON finals, the triumphant head coach Paulo Jorge Rebelo Duarte has dedicated the achievement to the fans.
Addressing the media shortly after the match played at Stade De L’Amitie in Libreville, the Portugese national first paid tribute to his colleague, the coach of Tunisia Henri Kasperczak.
I pay tribute to my colleague at Tunisia Henri Kasperczak. It was a very difficult match. The final result of the game was determined on the fine details.
We were worried with the set piece expertise of Tunisia but we controlled them.
I dedicate this victory to the people of Burkina Faso.
Two late strikes from second half substitute Aristide Bance and the CAF man of the match, Niguimbe Nakoulma witnessed the West Africans book a semi-final berth at the 31st edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Asked on his strategy for the quarter finals as well as the up-coming semi final, Duarte replied;
First of all, we are glad that we had more day of rest than Tunisia. We planned well for the slower Tunisian defence.
The strategy was to start with Nakoulma ahead of Bance and run down their defence. I cautioned my players to shot as often as possible and it worked to perfection.
Concerning the semi-finals, we shall have to regroup and plan afresh.
With two quarter-finals played on Saturday, the other two matches at the last eight stage will be played on Sunday in Port Gentil and Oyem.
Democratic Republic of Congo takes on Ghana Black Stars at Stade D’Oyem in the opening match before Egypt will play Morocco at Stade De Port Gentil one hour later.
