Members of the Burkina Faso national football team, runners up to champions Nigeria at the 2013 African Nations Cup in South Africa, will be officially decorated Tuesday at the August 4 Stadium in Ouagadougou, the capital, according to official sources.
The Burkinabes, applauded at home as heroes, were edged 1-0 by the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their final match in Johannesburg on Sunday.
PANA reports that disappointed fans, who had lined the streets across the country since morning in anticipation of a Burkina Faso win, quietly disappeared as soon the final whistle was blown.
Burkina Faso's successive run from the group stage to the semi-final had whipped the citizenry into a patriotic fervor but all these disappeared when Nigeria held on to Sunday Mba's 39th-minute goal until the end against the hard-fighting Burkinabes.
Despite broken dreams, fans outside the capital’s town hall still sang and danced to the glory of the Stallions.
Clad in the national colours, supporters waving national flags blew whistles and vuvuzelas to congratulate the players for their heroic participation in the competition.
Mayor of Ouagadougou Simon Compaore, who had promised fans a huge celebration whatever the outcome of the game, called on Burkinabes to take massively to the street Monday to warmly welcome the 'valiant' Stallions, expected at the Ouagadougou airport at 6:00 pm local time.
'The Stallions have honoured their country and we are grateful because Burkinabé football has shown maturity,' said Karim Bikienga, a civil servant.
Pana 11/02/2013