Burkina Faso national football team,nicknamed the Stallions, is controlled by Fédération Burkinabe de Football and is one of upcoming strong sides in Africa.
The Stallions finished fourth in the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations , when they hosted the tournament. Their best ever finish in the tournament was the 2013 edition , reaching the finals of the tournament.
They are ranked 50th in the world according to FIFA. The national team is currently managed by Paul Duarte.
Kransdor midfielder Charles Kabore, acts as the team’s captain
History
Burkina Faso made their first appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations in 1978, but had to wait for 18 years before they returned to the biennial tournament .They subsequently qualified for five consecutive tournaments between 1996 and 2004, reaching the semi-finals under coach Philippe Troussier when the tournament was held on home soil in 1998.
The Stallions played in Group B of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Ghana and Ivory Coast in a three-team group due to Togo’s withdrawal. Although they drew their first match against Ivory Coast and needed just a draw against Ghana to progress, the Burkinabe lost 1–0 and failed to qualify for the knock-out stage of the tournament.
During the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations,Stallions lost all three of their matches and subsequently firing coach Paulo Duarte . Belgian coach Paul Put was announced as new coach in March 2012. Burkina Faso lost to Nigeria in the final of the tournament.
Afcon 2017 qualification
Burkina Faso qualified for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon after they came joint top with Uganda in their qualifying group. They picked up enough points starting from their biggest 2-0 victory aganist Camoros in rhe group opener.
The Stallions will have to compete against hosts Gabon, Cameroon and Guine-Bissau.This will be a tough group considering the other three teams are equally strong.
Squad Overview
Burkina Faso squad is mainly comprised of overseas-based players, with a whole host of players plying their trade in Europe.
Adama Guira (RC Lens) and Jonathan Zongo (Almeria) are the two key attacking players for the Stallions, while Al Nasr ‘s Jonathan Pitroipa will be depended inhunting for goals .
Germain Sanou of French side Beauvais is expected to keep his place in goal, while Steve Yago of Toulouse will be a crucial cog in their defence.
Key Player
Al Nasr striker Jonathan Pitroipa will undoubtedly be a key player for Burkina Faso.
The 30 year old joined Al Nasr from Rennes and has so far scored ten goals in his ninenteen appearances. At the international level he plays for Burkina Faso, with whom he made his debut for in 2006.
Since then, he has featured at the 2010, 2012 and 2013 editions of the African Cup of Nations , scoring two goals in the 2013 tournament as Burkina Faso reached the final. He was also chosen the Player of the Tournament.
Burkina Faso Afcon 2017 squad
Goalkeepers: Germain Sanou (Beauvais/France) Koffi Kouakou (Asec d’Abidjan/Côte d’Ivoire) Aboubacar Sawadogo (RCK/Burkina Faso)
Defenders: Bakary Koné (Malaga/Spain) Ernest Congo (IZK Khemisset/Maroc) Issouf Paro (Santos/Afrique du Sud) Patrick Malo (Smouha/Egypte) Issoufou Dayo (Racing Club Berkane/ Maroc) Yacouba Coulibaly (RCB/Burkina) Steeve Yago (Toulouse FC/France)
Midfielders: Bakary Saré dit Bouba (Moreinrense/ Portugal) Abdou Razack Traoré (Karabukspor/ Turquie) Blati Touré (Omonia Nicosia/ Chypre) Adama Guira (RC Lens/France) Charles Kaboré (Krasnodar/Russie) Alain Traoré (Kayserispor/Turquie) Cyrille Bayala (Sheriff Tiraspol/Moldavie)
Forwards: Jonathan Pitroipa ( Al Nasr/Emirates Arab Unis) Prejuce Nakoulma (Kayserispor/Turquie) Aristide Bancé (ASEC d’Abidjan/Côte d’Ivoire) Jonathan Zongo (Almeria/France) Bertrand Traoré (Ajax d’Amsterdam/ Hollande) Banou Diawara (Smouha Club/ Egypte) Issoumaila Lingani (Happoel Ashleon/ Israël).
