TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON 2025: “We want to come back home with the trophy” Oscar Barro (Burkina Faso Coach)
Burkina Faso head coach, Oscar Barro’s main goal is to lift the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations when Morocco stages the finals between 30 March – 19 April.
The West African side has been one of the regulars of the competition, with the Morrocco finals marking their 11thappearance where they are drawn in a tough Group B against Egypt, Cameroon and South Africa.
Not only have they been regulars, but Burkina Faso have lifted the title in 2011 and runners up twice in 1999 and 2001 as well as bronze medallists in the 2009 and 2023 editions.
Following their WAFU B Qualifiers where they overcame Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 in the finals, the U-17 Stallions have their sights firmly set on lifting the title according to coach Barro.
"We are all champions of our zones, so there’s no reason to be afraid. Everyone has a chance, and we will fiercely defend ours; we are working towards that and going all the way," said the coach.
In 2023, after an impressive run, the Stallions, then under coach Brahima Traoré, were eliminated in the semifinals by Senegal, who won 5-4 in a penalty shootout. They consoled themselves by securing a third place with a 2-1 victory over Mali in the third-place match.
Focus and Physical Freshness
If they don't win the trophy, Burkina Faso will aim for a spot in the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025, scheduled between 05 – 27 November 2025 in Qatar where Africa will be represented by 10 teams in the newly expanded version of the competition.
The Stallions participated in the last edition held in Indonesia in 2023 but were eliminated in the first round.Barro is calmly continuing his preparations, focusing particularly on the crucial shortcomings that have often cost his country dearly in previous campaigns.
"Since 2011, we’ve been chasing this trophy. We’ve often lacked luck, concentration, and physical strength to bring the trophy home. We will work on these aspects," says the coach.
The 53-year-old coach will have his first experience TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON. However continental competition will not be new to the coach who led the U-20 national team to the at quarterfinals of the 2021 edition in Mauritania.