Djakaridja Kone rues AFCON loss
Djakaridja Kone of Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso lost 1-0 to a fired-up Nigeria at Soccer City in Johannesburg on February 10 to collect their first Africa Cup runners-up medal.
"We started very badly I think the players were a little tired," Kone said.
Burkina Faso came into the final after playing a grueling 240 minutes of football in a space of three day in both the quarterfinals and semifinals against Togo and Ghana respectively en route to the final.
"We have lost an opportunity to be champions and I am so sad I am so mad but this is football we will continue to work and hope to do better in the next two years," Kone said.
Kone said Burkina Faso also had no problem adjusting to the Soccer City pitch after playing their previous five games on a sandy Mbombela Stadium turf.
"We are satisfied with the tournament because we have a good team and are heading high and we will keep our heads up," Kone said.
Burkina Faso now turns its attention to the big task of reviving their fortunes in the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup Group E qualifiers when they host Niger on March 22.
"We have game against Niger next month we will work hard and do everything to qualify for the World Cup," Kone said.
Burkina Faso are bottom of Group E with zero points from two games while Niger are second on three points and as many points behind leaders Congo-Brazzaville.
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