At CAN 2022, Burkinabè also defend the legitimacy of their women's football
Burkinabè Charlotte Millogo during the women's CAN 2022.
© RFI/David Kalfa
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
2 mins
Defeated 1-0 by Morocco in the opening match of CAN 2022, the Burkina Faso team is largely playing its future in the competition against Senegal, this July 5, 2022 in Rabat, in group A of the Cup of African nations female.
For the players, the goal is also to shine in order to change the mentalities of Burkinabè people about women's football.
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From our special correspondent in Rabat,
This July 5, the Burkina Faso team is playing a little more than a West African derby against Senegal.
She is playing part of her future in this African Cup of Nations (CAN 2022), after
a 1-0 defeat against Morocco
.
Above all, it is part of the credibility of Burkinabè women's football that seems to be at stake. “
For us, football is a sport for men and not for girls
, slips the captain of the selection Charlotte Millogo.
People prefer to let the girls do the housework rather than letting them express themselves on the pitch
”.
Succeeding in changing mentalities: additional pressure for those who, against the Moroccans, were playing the very first CAN final phase match in their history.
“
For the opening match, we said to ourselves that we shouldn't be ridiculous, take a river defeat, 3-0, 4-0, run behind the ball, live in misery
, explains coach Pascal Sawadogo.
Quite the contrary, we finished the game strong.
We even dreamed of equalizing until the last minute.
So, for us, it's already a point
gained
”.
"Parents will let the girls play football if we achieve a good AFCON"
Those nicknamed the Stallions Ladies – a symbol of their lack of recognition – had already scored a point with the general Burkinabè public by qualifying for this
CAN 2022
.
“
But I tell myself that if we perform well, the parents will let the girls play football
”, underlines Charlotte Millogo.
An opinion shared by her coach: “
In the country, for women's football, it's not at all simple.
There is still resistance from parents.
We prefer studies to football.
We think that if football feeds its male side, it can also do so for girls.
»
The technician draws grounds for hope in the performance of his players against the Lionesses of the Atlas.
"
With a little rage, we can take the six points that remain to be taken
," said Pascal Sawadogo, aware of the impact in the country of men of integrity that a qualification for the quarter-finals of CAN 2022 would have.
A (RE) LIRE ►CAN 2022 women: schedule, standings and results
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Women's football
Burkina Faso
AFCON 2022
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