The Burkina Faso women’s handball team have been denied a place in the final of the IHF Nations Trophy Seniors Dames – Zone 3 after losing 26-25 to Cote d’Ivoire in a closely contested semi-final.
The Etalons Dames were beaten by the narrowest possible margin at the Palais des Sports de Ouaga 2000, where they were playing in front of their home supporters. Despite a determined performance and a sustained effort throughout the match, Burkina Faso could not find the extra goal needed to overcome their opponents.
Cote d’Ivoire’s one-goal victory secured their place in the final, while Burkina Faso’s campaign will now continue with a match for third place. The Etalons Dames will have the opportunity to finish the competition on a positive note when they return to action in the play-off.
The semi-final was decided by a single goal after a hard-fought contest between the two West African sides. Burkina Faso remained within touching distance of Cote d’Ivoire and continued to compete until the final stages, but their attempts to change the outcome were ultimately unsuccessful.
For the Etalons Dames, the result brought disappointment after they had reached the last four of the competition. Their hopes of competing for the title have ended, but they can still secure a place on the podium by winning the third-place match.
The defeat also means Burkina Faso will not be able to claim the IHF Nations Trophy Seniors Dames – Zone 3 title on home ground. However, the team now has a further fixture in which to respond, with the chance to close its tournament campaign in front of its supporters with a victory.
Cote d’Ivoire, meanwhile, advance to the final after holding on for a 26-25 success in a match that remained finely balanced until the end. Burkina Faso’s players gave everything in the closing minutes, but the decisive goal remained out of reach.
The Etalons Dames must now regroup ahead of their next appointment in the competition. Their focus will switch from the final to the battle for third place, where they will seek to turn a narrow semi-final loss into a positive conclusion to their campaign.