The Trumpet Newspaper Issue 518 (May 6 - 19 2020)

Page16 TheTrumpet MAY 6 - 19 2020
Sport
Kabore’s century ambition
By FIFA.com
It would be fair to say that the green
jersey of Burkina Faso holds no secrets
for Charles Kabore. With 94
appearances to his name, he is the mostcapped
player in the country’s history.
Over a 14-year international career, he
has seen almost everything with ‘Les
Etalons’ (The Stallions), having
participated in five CAF Africa Cups of
Nations, including the 2013 final. The one
notable omission, however, is a FIFA
World Cup appearance, which the player
admits he is unlikely to ever realise.
“For teams of the calibre of Burkina
Faso, the chance to qualify might only
present itself once every 20 years. And I
didn’t manage to seize that chance when it
presented itself to me,” the defensive
midfielder told FIFA.com, referring to the
agonising defeat on the away-goals rule to
Algeria in a play-off for Brazil 2014.
“That remains a huge regret, as that was
my chance and I don’t see myself getting
Charles Kabore
a child, I watched every game my country
played. Today, I still relish the chance to be
in contention and would love to participate
in a sixth Africa Cup in 2021.”
The Captain’s ambition is
understandable, given that it was precisely
in Africa’s premier competition that he
enjoyed his finest moments with ‘Les
Etalons’.
“CAN 2013 is certainly one of my best
memories,” Kabore said. “We didn’t have
an extraordinary team that year, but we
made up for it with our immense solidarity.
Contesting a continental final with that
group was really beautiful! I also
remember our great performance at CAN
2017, where we finished third while
playing with style.”
These two performances remain the
country’s finest to date. Suffice to say, then,
that Kabore, the leader of that generation
of players, is already assured his place in
the annals of Burkinabe football. Who is to
say, though, that he will not acquire even
greater legendary status in the months
ahead?
“No Burkina Faso player has ever won
100 caps,” he said. “It’s a goal that appeals
to me and one I’ll do everything possible
to achieve.”
Sarah Essam, Stoke
City’s Egyptian queen
another one. That said, I’m very hopeful
for the future of the national team.”
In their quest to reach Qatar 2022, the
team will once again be facing Algeria, as
well as Niger and Djibouti during the
second round of African qualifying.
According to the player, however, those are
fixtures that are unlikely to feature him.
“Burkina Faso must turn over a new
page,” he said. “The players of my
generation have had their day and have
represented the country well. A beautiful
new generation is coming through, and
they must be given their chance.
“There are a good number of talented
young Burkinabe players coming through
in different places. Besides Bertrand Traore
Charles Kabore
(Lyon), there is Lassina Traore (Ajax) and
Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen), to
name just a few. They can get us to a World
Cup – I’m convinced of it.
“In principle, it will be without me,
because I’m not expecting to feature in the
qualifiers. I haven’t given up on
representing the team, though!”
While the player is still performing to a
high level with Russian heavyweights
Dynamo Moscow, the club he joined in
2019 after six seasons with Krasnodar, it is
with the national team that he admits to
having had his keenest emotions. And, at
32, he intends to experience a few more.
“Pulling on that jersey has always been
a dream of mine – first chasing it and then
savouring it afterwards,” Kabore said. “As
Continued on Page 14>
2018 CAF Award ceremony that saw
Mohamed Salah win the best African
player prize. I was also part of the
commentary team for the 2019 Africa
Cup of Nations staged in Egypt. These
experiences make me more confident
to continue working in a variety of
fields.”
2019 could hardly have been better for
the young Egyptian, as she scored 12
times in 12 games to become Stoke’s
top scorer. “Just playing in England
would’ve been a great first step in the
career I aspire for, but becoming my
team and the league’s top scorer is
huge and will motivate me to keep
working hard.”
“I also hope to capitalise on these
accomplishments and experiences and
pass them to the other players in
Egypt. Hard work over a long period
will bring us success, and I hope my
team-mates and I can realise the
ultimate feat of getting Egypt to the
FIFA Women’s World Cup.”
Birthday to remember
Even though Essam’s 21st birthday
came while she was in quarantine, she
still had cause to celebrate. “I wasn’t
expecting anything on the day as I was
isolated in my hotel room. I thought
I’d celebrate it with the family when
all this is over, especially since they
sent me some birthday cards.
“However, I heard a knock on my door
and when I opened it, I saw a group of
employees carrying a cake in the shape
of a football pitch. There was also a
gift of training equipment to use in the
room. I was so happy that I don’t think
I’ll ever forget that experience.”
The Egyptian Queen
Asked about her nickname and an
Instagram photo she shared of herself
posing with a large outdoor
chessboard, Essam explained: “Mo
Salah and I moved to England in the
same year – we even signed for
Liverpool and Stoke during the same
month.
“After Liverpool’s Mo chant became
very popular, the Stoke fans started a
similar one for me that goes, ‘Oh
Sarah, the Egyptian queen’. They
considered me the female version of
Mo, which is great. Nothing beats
being called ‘the Egyptian queen’.”
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