The third edition of Trophée des Champions took place at the Stade municipal de Ziniaré in Burkina Faso on September 20, 2026. King Vert emerged victorious, defeating FC Wagess in a penalty shootout, winning 4-1 after the game ended in a goalless draw. This victory marks a significant moment for King Vert, especially after their loss in the previous year's final. The event was attended by high-profile figures, including General Célestin Simporé, Minister of State for War and Patriotic Defense.
The tournament, now in its third year, has grown in stature and now attracts teams from neighboring countries, including Benin, Gabon, Guinea, and the Central African Republic. The event was organized under the presidency of Minister of Sports, Youth, and Employment, Annick Pikbougoum/Zingué Ouattara, and sponsored by Édouard Bonkoungou, president of COGEF for the Oubri region. The competition aims to promote unity, social cohesion, and patriotism through sports.
The promoter of Trophée des Champions, Fabrice Simporé, emphasized the social significance of the event, highlighting its role in fostering unity and dialogue among young people and communities. He linked the tournament to the "Youth, Peace, and Security" program, which seeks to create platforms for exchange and socialization to promote peace and citizenship. Simporé expressed the desire to expand the tournament while preserving its local identity.
General Célestin Simporé praised the initiative, noting its potential to become a tool for community mobilization and peace promotion. He called for the expansion of the "Youth, Peace, and Security" program to reach more young people and locations, emphasizing the need for collective action from various stakeholders, including local authorities, state structures, and civil society organizations.
The final match between King Vert and FC Wagess was a closely contested encounter, with both teams creating few scoring opportunities. King Vert's captain, Abdoul Faissal Ouédraogo, was named man of the match and expressed his satisfaction with the win, recalling the previous year's loss. He encouraged FC Wagess and praised the tournament's organization.
In the opposing camp, FC Wagess's Jules Tiendrébéogo acknowledged the team's disappointment but expressed pride in their performance. He vowed that his team would return stronger, determined to learn from the experience and continue improving. The tournament's third edition aimed to promote unity and patriotism, with the theme "The discipline of sports in favor of unity and patriotic commitment."
The Trophée des Champions has become a platform for promoting peace, social cohesion, and youth engagement in Burkina Faso and beyond. With the support of the Fabrice Simporé Global Initiative (FSGI) and other partners, the tournament aims to become a showcase for regional talent, with aspirations to expand its reach and impact.
Key points
- King Vert won the third edition of Trophée des Champions, defeating FC Wagess in a penalty shootout.
- The tournament promotes unity, social cohesion, and patriotism through sports, with a growing regional and international presence.
- The event is part of the "Youth, Peace, and Security" program, which seeks to create platforms for exchange and socialization to promote peace and citizenship.
