I’m Proud Of My Team – Burkina Faso Coach

Burkina Faso Coach, Paul Put said on Monday that he was proud of his team’s performance in spite of losing 0-1 to Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Sunday.

Put told newsmen in Johannesburg, South Africa after the final of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament, that his team maintained tactical discipline, but lost because it played against a better side.

He said his team gave the Nigerian team a lot of respect, hence its below per display in the first half of the encounter.

He said in spite of the loss, the team was happy with the support it received from the South African fans during the tournament.

“I am very happy, I am proud also that we won the hearts of the South African people because their hospitality was great, they have been supporting us.

“I think, because, the way we have been playing, the way we have been acting, it was appreciated by the local people.

“So, this is very important for football – to win the hearts of the supporters; and I think we have done greatly in this tournament because nobody expected Burkina Faso to go so far and I am very proud of the players; I am very proud of what we did in this tournament.”

Put said he never expected that his team would get to the finals of the tournament.

“Sometimes you have to be brave; sometimes it is very important as a coach to work on the psychology side. So, I told the players that if you can pass the first round, I am sure we can play in the semi-finals.

“We played the semi-final, and I said we have nothing to lose. I am happy we are the second best in Africa.”

He said he would still be with the Burkina Faso team to put them into a formidable side.