AFCON U-20: Burundi Coach Blames Mental Fragility for Loss to Nigeria

Burundi head coach Joslin Bipfubusa has blamed lack of mental toughness for his side’s 0-2 defeat by Nigeria in the Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations Group A opener played at Stade General Seyni Kountche in Niamey on Saturday.

The Young Swallows were put to the sword by the Flying Eagles in what was a completely one-sided affair. In his post-match interview, Bipfubusa blamed mental fragility for the heavy loss.

“We had problems in the second period because, after the first half, our players had some confidence that the task will be easy for them because they managed to contain the Nigerians,” he stated in an interview with CAF Online.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “And after conceding the first goal I found that my players were a little demoralized when I told them to do more because we could return to the score.”   [/perfectpullquote]

“But now they take a second goal that ended our hopes. I congratulate Nigeria for their victory.”

Bifubusa, however, picked positives from the game, saying that he was optimistic of advancing to the knockout stage.

“We must know that we can lose the first game and come back later and why not qualify,” he added.

During the match, Nazifi Yahaya scored a beautiful header on the 55th minute before Effiom Maxwell doubled the lead for the Flying Eagles in the 70th minute.

Burundi will play Niger at the same venue in their next match on Tuesday, February 5th, 2019.