Burkina Faso coach Duarte hails ‘father figure’ Mourinho

BURKINA Faso coach Paulo Duarte this week revealed that Jose Mourinho phoned him ahead of Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Egypt.

Duarte played under Mourinho when he began his career with Uniao Leiria in 2001 and has been strongly influenced by his fel­low Portuguese.

“He congratulated me and said he is not surprised (that we reached the semis),” Duarte told BBC Sport.

“He is like a father for me, and for the young Portuguese coaches.”

Duarte added: “For me, for us, Mourinho is a good reference so when he called me I was very happy.”

Although Duarte is still searching for a first trophy while Manchester United boss Mour­inho boasts 23, what do they have in common is that both began their coaching career with Uniao Leiria.

Duarte, who spent a decade at the club between 1995 and 2004, was Mourinho’s cen­tre-back as Uniao Leiria finished seventh in 2002.

“Mourinho is very important in my career because 15 years ago, he changed the mentality of Portuguese football. The training and the mentality of the players changed,” Duarte said.

Of the four semi-finalists at this year’s Nations Cup in Gabon, the Burkinabe – sur­prise runners-up in 2013 – are the only side to have never won the title.

After a season in charge of Leiria, Duarte instantly moved to Burkina Faso – leading the side between 2008 and 2012.

After spells with French side Le Mans, Tuni­sian club Sfaxien and Gabon’s national team, the 47-year-old returned to take charge of the Stallions in 2015.

Now, they are impressing observers with the quality of their football – particularly when beating Tunisia 2-0 in last Saturday’s quar­ter-final in the Gabonese capital Libreville.

“Egypt have a good team but I have a good team, too,” Duarte explained.

“I know this team from 10 years ago but back then, we didn’t have so many good play­ers because they were all playing in second or third divisions. Now everybody plays in a premier league.

“The success of the team is hard work and humility.

“I’m very happy because every day my team is better. We are playing very good football and this is very important for me.” — bbcsport

EGYPT reached a record-equalling ninth Africa Cup of Nations final, beating Burkina Faso 4-3 on penal­ties after a 1-1 draw.

Veteran goalkeeper Essam El Hadary proved Egypt’s hero, saving Bertrand Traore’s spot-kick to secure victory. In normal time Mohamed Salah opened the scoring for Egypt when he curled a superb shot into the top left corner.

Burkina Faso levelled when Aristide Bance chested down Charles Kabore’s cross and volleyed in.In doing so, they became the first side to score against Egypt this tournament.

The Burkinabe, who were the more adventurous and ambitious side throughout normal play, took an immediate advantage in the shootout.

Goalkeeper Herve Koffi, only 20 years old, mag­nificently pushed Abdallah El Said’s spot-kick on to the post.

But he soon experienced the other side of shootouts when he stepped up to take his side’s fourth penalty and was unable to beat El Hadary – who at 24 years his senior is the oldest Nations Cup player in history.

El Hadary’s experience – he now has a chance to win his fifth African title – proved vital as he then saved Bertrand Traore’s effort to send Burkina Faso home.

It was a dramatic end to a game that was cagey, thanks to Egypt’s predominantly defensive approach, which had served them well and meant they had not conceded a goal going into the match.

Two moments of excellent football provided the breakthroughs for the teams – Salah’s curling opener was sublime as was the chest control and volley from Bance that restored parity.

Otherwise the football was not quite of the highest standard, with Koffi largely a bystander.

While El Hadary was called on more often, he was relatively comfortable in keeping out shots from Pre­juce Nakoulma and Banou Diawara.

Egypt’s victory continues their remarkable success rate in Nations Cup semi-finals – they have now won their past six.

In clinching victory in Libreville they equal Ghana’s record of appearing in nine finals.

And if on Sunday they beat the winner of Thurs­day’s semi-final between Cameroon and Ghana, Egypt will extend their own record as the most successful Nations Cup side with an eighth title. — bbcsport.

Duarte played under Mourinho when he began his career with Uniao Leiria in 2001