Burkina Faso coach Hubert Velud has said they will digest their 2-1 defeat against Mali in the round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations clash played on Tuesday.
An unfortunate own goal by Edmond Tabsoba along with a second-half strike by Lassine Sinayoko were enough for the Eagles to soar over the Stallions at a packed Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Cote d'Ivoire.
Bertrand Traore's penalty proved a consolation for the 2013 finalists and Velud admitted they lost to a better team that boasts quality, especially in midfield.
“I honestly have no one to blame. We lost against a better side. Mali have good players. We got some opportunities but also introduced new players. I was not surprised by the quality of this team. Very good quality with top-level midfielders. Offensively, we saw a great team from Mali and we credit them," Velud said.
The tactician said they will review their performance with the view to getting to the root cause of their downfall against Mali.
“We will digest this defeat. We have to review and analyze the good and the bad during our time here," Velud said.
He lauded this year's showpiece as one of the best-organised continental championships but regrated exiting the biennial competition prematurely.
"The Afcon is very open for anyone to win. It is one of the best Afcons in terms of football and organisation. Unfortunately, we will not participate any further”.
Mali will face hosts Cote d'Ivoire on February 3 in the quarter-finals and have a chance to sail to the last four should they overcome the Elephants.
