After the white wizard Hubert Velud, the choice of the local coach.

The Burkinabè Football Federation (FBF) announced Monday March 11 during a press conference that it had chosen Brama Traoré to take over as head of the Stallions.

“After several experiences (...), we thought that it was now time to trust a national coach,” declared the president of the FBF, Lazare Bansé, during the meeting with the press.

“I am a resilient and wise coach,” underlined the new coach of Burkina Faso.

"I had most of the players at a young age, so I will be able to lead them to discipline. I will handle the stick and the carrot. You do well, you will be rewarded. You do badly, you will not be in this team."

“I have been through all the youth selections for years. I have not skipped the steps, and I will do everything to bring the Stallions everywhere as far as possible,” reacted Brama Traoré.

Good results with young people

The man nicknamed "the professor" has in fact held the position of coach of the U20 and U23 national team.

Under his leadership, the U20 Stallions won the silver medal at the last Francophonie Games in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

A former midfielder for the Étalons with around thirty caps, Traoré already has a history closely linked to the national team with whom he played three African Cups.

His experience as Paul Put's deputy from 2012 to 2015 probably played a determining role in his appointment.

The new 50-year-old coach will have many challenges to face.

He has set ambitious objectives: rebuild and rejuvenate a team at the end of the cycle and attract dual nationals.

All with the aim of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

With a victory and a draw, Burkina Faso is currently second behind Egypt in its qualifying group.

The Stallions and the Pharaohs will face each other in June in a crucial match for the race for the World Cup.

During CAN 2024, Burkina Faso was eliminated in the round of 16 against Mali, a poor performance after the 2022 semi-final which marked the departure of Hubert Velud.

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