CHAN 2020: Seydou Zerbo Targets Knockout Stage With Stallions

Burkina Faso B coach Seydou Zerbo is confident that the Stallions will make it past the Group stage at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals in Cameroon.

The Stallions are pooled with hosts Cameroon, Mali and Zimbabwe in Pool A and Zerbo says it is a group in which they can fight to get out of if they do everything right.

“We have the same chances as the other teams in the group. But we will have to take the first game very seriously and negotiate the other two games to get out of the pool. To play Mali and Cameroon means we are on the high level and it is fantastic,” the tactician told Ducor Sports.

He added; “Faced with such tough opponents, we will prepare accordingly to be able to get out of the pool.”

Burkina Faso starts its campaign against Mali on April 5 before facing Zimbabwe and Cameroon on later dates. These are matches that Zerbo believes will not be easy at all.

“We are in a very tough group. Cameroon, which is the organizing country, will do everything to meet the expectations of its public. Mali has played in the final twice and Zimbabwe is a regular at the competition,” Zerbo offered.

The top two teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals. The cities of Douala, Limbe and the capital Yaounde will host the matches in the three-week bonanza.

Stallions will now set off to make arrangements for their pre-CHAN training camp as well as a list of friendly matches they will play during that period.

The CHAN is a biennial football tournament, which is organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), strictly for African players featuring in their domestic leagues.