AFCON 2021: Burkina Faso Back In The Big Time

The Stallions of Burkina Faso must now feel the time is right for them to take a step further and land Africa’s most prized football asset (The Africa Nations Cup) come January 2022.

This, after the team’s no – show in 2019 as they didn’t qualify for the competition hosted by Egypt.

Burkina Faso has been involved in 12 AFCON finals with their current name.

The country did not become regulars up until the late 90s when they played in successive AFCON tourneys from 1996 to 2004.

The Stallions were then absent in the following two editions from 2006 – 2008, but they have ticked the box as participant’s in Africa’s biggest football jamboree, in 5 out of the last 6 editions.

The the trip to Cameroon sums up Burkina Faso’s score cards as 12th for for 33 appearances. Between those, there has been some exquisite performances.

Burkina Faso’s best ever finish draws back to 2013 when they ended up as beaten finalists to late Stephen Keshi’s Super Eagles.

Then Burkina Faso Belgian tactician – Paul Put was hoping the final against Nigeria could have been the second straight Africa Cup of Nations fairytale, after Zambia in 2012, but Sunday Mbah had other ideas.

Aside from that fine run, there has been cameos of good performances; fourth place in 1998, and 3rd place in 2017; after defeating the Black Stars of Ghana.

Road To The AFCON;

Burkina Faso was drawn in group B of the AFCON 2021 qualifiers alongside : Malawi, South Sudan and Uganda, all considered second zone teams, and so, many expected Burkina Faso to sail through without any major upset.

As envisaged, The Stallions qualified as group toppers with 12 points, two points ahead of second placed Malawi.

Despite debuting their campaign with a dead rubber (0-0) score line at home against Uganda, Betrand Traore and co rallied to defeat South Sudan and Malawi in the next two fixtures. A draw to Malawi and Uganda in the reversed fixtures meant a one – nil victory over South Sudan on the final day – was enough to make the trip to Cameroon.

Players to watch

There has been some new breed of players coming in for Burkina Faso, with some ageing players who took part in the last couple of tournaments, retired.

26 – year – old Betrand Traore has a wonder of a left foot and could cause problems, attacking from any of the flanks. Betrand Traore is a brother to Alain Troare who started in that 2013 final against Nigeria. Currently at Aston Villa, the former Ajax and Olympique Lyonnais man has scored 11 goals in 57 appearances. He scored against South Sudan on the final day of the AFCON qualifiers.

20-year-old Ajax affiliate
Lassina Traoré has been a great addition to Burkina Faso this year. The youngster has been quick to integrate the senior team off the blocks, and he has already popped up with some important goals – especially his brace against Malawi on match day 3 of the qualifiers.

Issoufou Dayo, 30, plays as a center half and could be a real threat in the air. He has thrived in previous AFCON tournaments. The RS Berkane skipper is fresh from renewing his contract at club level and always comes in as a danger man from set pieces.

Dayo has played all games for Burkina Faso since November 12, 2020, scoring thrice in 46 senior appearances.

Coach

The Burkina Faso Football Federation (FBF) changed coach Duarte for Kamou Malou, after Duarte failed to take the nation to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

58 year old Kamo is an EX Burkinabe player who played as a midfeilder. His involvement in youth football and quick attacking style could surprise many in Cameroon.

Burkina Faso play the AFCON opener against Cameroon at the newly – inaugurated Olembe stadium on January 9, 2022.

Cape Verde and Ethiopia are the other opponents to face the Stallions in group A.