Burkina Faso coach Duarte remains hopeful

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Sunday Oct 08, 2017. 12:00

Burkina Faso coach Paulo Duarte was impressed by South Africa at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon.

The Stallions were defeated 3-1 by Bafana Bafana in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualification (CAF) Group D match.

Despite the defeat, Burkina Faso remain at the top of the group standings, while South Africa also remain fourth on the table.

The Portuguese tactician felt that Bafana played well from the first minute as they secured their first win in Group D.

"I would like to congratulate South Africa. They played well from the first minute," Duarte told the media after the match.

Second-placed Cape Verde will take on third-placed Senegal in another Group D match in Praia on Saturday.

"It is not the end for Burkina Faso, after this result we are now depending on other result," the Burkina Faso trainer added.

Burkina Faso will qualify for the World Cup for the first time if they win their last group match and the other results go their way.

The Stallions are scheduled to host Cape Cerde at the Stade du 4 Août in Ouagadougou on 6 November 2017.