Burkina Faso’s national team head coach Hubert Velud has named a 25-man squad for friendlies against DR Congo and Comoros.
Bertrand Traore will captain the team, which includes Dar Young Africans attacking midfielder Stephane Azi Ki and Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba.
Burkina Faso will engage the Leopards on September 23 before facing the Coelacanths four days later at Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca.
Although the Stallions will not be at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the games will help the West Africans to prepare for Africa Cup of Nations qualification double header against Togo.
France-based goalkeeper Hillel Konate has received his first call up to the squad alongside FC New Zealand’s Adamo Nagolo and Adama Fofana.
Also included is Cyrille Bayala (AC Ajjacio), Dango Faissail(FC Lorient), Abou Quottara (Sheriff Tiraspol) and Cheek Djibrill who turns for African Confederation Cup champions RS Berkane.
The rest of the squad is somewhat of a continuation from the success of the team that finished third in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
It’s worth noting that this is Velud’s first squad since his appointment in April after former coach Kamou Malo was relieved his duties in February despite the Stallions’ beautiful display at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers:
Hervé Kouakou Koffi (Sporting de Charleroi, Belgium),Kilian Nikieman (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands),Hillel Kanote (FC Valenciennes, France)
Defenders:
Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany),Dayo Issofou (RS Berkane, Morocco),Fofana Adama (Dijon, France),Steve Yago (Aris Limassol, Cyprus),Issa Kabore (Olympic Marseille, France D1),Abdul Razack (AC Reggiana, Italy) ,Dylan Ouedraogo (OH Leuven, Belgium) ,Adamo Nagolo(FC North Zealand, Denmark)
Midfielders:
Gustavo Fabrice Sangare (Quevilly-Rouen, France),Ibrahim Blati (Pyramids FC, Egypt D1),Ismahila Ouedraogo (Return to PAOK Thessaloniki B, Greece ),Cedric Badolo (Sheriff Tiraspol, Moldova D1),Stéphane Aziz Ki (Young Africans, Tanzania),Salou Drama (FC Noah, Armenia),Abdul Bandaogo (CD Trofense, Portugal ),Mamady Alex (Quevilly-Rouen, France)
Forwards:
Bertrand Traore (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey D1),Cyrille Bayala (AC Ajaccio, France D1),Dango Aboubacar Faissal (FC Lorient, France D1),Abou Ouatarra (Sheriff Tiraspol, Moldova D1),Cheek Djibril Ouatarra (RS Berkane, Morocco D1)’Abdul Fessal Tapsoba (Liege Standard, Belgium D1)
