Burkina Faso suffered a 7-0 defeat to Argentina in Buenos Aires after a disrupted journey left The Stallions arriving only hours before kick-off.
Argentina dominated the friendly at the Monumental, with Lautaro Martinez, Gianluca Prestianni, Nico Paz, Julian Alvarez, Franco Mastantuono and Giuliano Simeone all finding the net. Burkina Faso defender Moumoune Diallo also scored an own goal.
The Burkina Faso Football Federation (FBF) said the team’s original charter flight, scheduled for September 30, had been cancelled without prior notice by the aircraft charterer.
“The movement of the national team was disrupted following the cancellation without notice, by the aircraft charterer, of the flight initially scheduled for September 30,” the federation said.
Burkina Faso plays match without several established players
The FBF said the Ministry of Sports, the federation and Burkina Faso’s embassy in Morocco worked to arrange an alternative journey.
“Different options were explored to reorganise a new departure, but constraints, particularly those linked to the travel time, raised reservations among the players,” the federation said.
The delegation eventually arrived in Buenos Aires at around 3:40 pm local time, according to the FBF, before travelling directly to the hotel for a light physical recovery session, rest and a tactical video meeting.
Burkina Faso were also without several established players, with members of the country’s A team brought in to reinforce coach Amir Abdou’s squad. Reports from Argentina said several senior players had opted not to travel because of fatigue.
Argentina acknowledges Burkina Faso difficulties
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged the difficulties faced by the visitors and praised those who made the trip.
“I would like to sincerely thank those who have come from Burkina Faso,” Scaloni said after the match. “I don’t know what problems the other guys had, but those who came, we appreciate the effort they made, they dignify football.”
Scaloni said Argentina had taken the fixture seriously out of respect for Burkina Faso.
“We are enormously grateful they have been able to come because they made the effort; they could have stayed, and the match could have been cancelled,” he said.
Difficult journey
The FBF said Sports, Youth and Employment Minister Annick Pikbougoum Zingue Ouattara, federation president Oumarou Sawadogo and Burkina Faso’s ambassador to Morocco, Mamadou Coulibaly, were personally involved in efforts to resolve the travel crisis and ensure The Stallions reached Argentina.
Argentina ultimately secured a comprehensive victory, while Burkina Faso’s difficult journey formed a significant part of the story surrounding the friendly.
