RABAT, August 25, 2019 - From an apprentice driver to an international footballer, Cheick Djibril Ouattara has become an icon of Burkinabè football. But to achieve this he needed the permission of his parents who wanted him to continue his studies. His father did not approve of him starting a career in football, so the young Cheick was left alone and without support. For the football lover the big challenge was convincing his parents.

So he reviewed his aims at that moment without losing hope. He first embraced the job of maneuvering, then stopped to sell mangoes at the fruit market of Bobo Dioulasso, the economic capital of Burkina Faso, before becoming an apprentice driver despite his undergraduate study certificate in 2015. All these to make a living, while he kept trying to convince his parents that he wanted to play football. Their blessing means a lot to him. "I wouldn’t like to get into football without the blessing of my parents. So how long it will take, I will wait," Ouattara said. 

It took the intervention of some members of his family, especially his uncle, and a coach in the first division, Oscar Barro, who considers Djibril as a son, for Djibril's father to reverse his decision. After four years of waiting, Djibril's ordeal ended with the agreement and blessing of his father. It marked the beginning of his wonderful story with football.

When he arrived Vitesse FC, a club of third division, in 2016, he impressed the Burkinabè public with his efficiency in front of goal, especially as he helped his team win the Federation Cup, scoring 10 goals in 8 matches. He quickly became a target for Oscar Barro, former coach of the ASFB (sports association of the officials of Bobo Dioulasso).

Thanks to his fighting spirit, he finally joined the ASFB family in 2017. This was an opportunity for the striker to show the world his talent and honor his family. "When I was young I always dreamed of playing like Samuel Eto, because he is a player that I appreciate well. He handles the ball well and he is hard-hitting," Djibril said.

Those qualities were well copied by the striker and appreciated by his coach Barro. "Djibril is a very humble player, attentive and a great hard worker. I saw him growing up and I know he has a future," Barro praised the efforts of his protégé. At the 2017-2018 national championship. Ouattara was named best scorer of the season, and became a revelation in the eyes of the sports world.

Later he would be summoned by national coach Paulo Duarte for the 2019 World Cup qualifiers. But before that selection, he played with the juniors in 2018 at the CHAN held in Morocco with Idrissa Malo. 

From zero to hero, Cheick remains an example for his fellow footballers. Considering his rigor at work he was being courted by several foreign clubs from Belgium, France and Morocco. After a long reflection he decided to join Berkabuteur, a Moroccan club in the first division on a five-year contract. 

He then got a call up to the U-20 national team for the African Games. A bit shy in the first match, Cheick would go on to amaze the public at the next outing of the Junior Stallions against South Africa. Very punchy and decisive, he was key in his team's qualification to the semi-finals. With three goals scored he is the top scorer in Pool A. 

Cheick intends to give his best at his club to open a door in Europe one day. He is realizing his dream finally but not without difficulties. Brought up in a purely Muslim family, the 19-year-old grew up in Sector 21 of the city of Bobo Dioulasso, the economic capital of Burkina Faso.