Casablanca became an unexpected holding point for Burkina Faso on Friday night, with the Stallions still in Morocco after a cancelled charter flight placed their friendly against Argentina at Buenos Aires’ Monumental in doubt.
A disrupted route from Morocco to Buenos Aires
- Burkina Faso had remained in Casablanca after defeating the Central African Republic 1-0 on Monday in qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
- The squad had been due to leave for Argentina on 30 September, but the charter company cancelled the planned flight without prior notice.
- Officials examined alternative travel arrangements, although the length of the journey created concerns among members of the playing group.
- By Friday evening, the federation could not say whether the team would reach Buenos Aires in time for the match.
The fixture is scheduled for 21:00 local time on Saturday at the Monumental, corresponding to 02:00 on Sunday in Spain. The uncertainty leaves Argentina waiting in the capital after their 4-0 win over Bolivia in Córdoba on Wednesday night.
Argentina’s three-match international programme
The Burkina Faso game forms the middle stop of a three-friendly run for the world champions. Argentina are then due back at the Monumental on Tuesday to face Benin.
That final match is intended to give supporters an opportunity to bid farewell to Lionel Messi, who announced on 31 August that he would retire from the Albiceleste.
