Burkina Faso head coach Brama Traoré has named a 27-player squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Tunisia and Zimbabwe, with six debutants included and three key players missing from the list.
The friendlies, scheduled for 2 and 6 June respectively, form part of Burkina Faso’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Traoré’s selection reflects a blend of experience and fresh talent, as the Stallions aim to assess their depth and integrate new options ahead of the tournament.
Among the headline omissions is forward Dango Ouattara, who has been ruled out due to an adductor injury. Ouattara, who had an impressive campaign with English Premier League side Bournemouth—scoring seven goals and contributing four assists—was expected to feature prominently in Traoré’s plans. His absence will be keenly felt.
Also missing are seasoned defenders Blati Touré and Steeve Yago, both of whom have been regular fixtures in the national team in recent years.
Their exclusions, while not injury-related, have not been officially explained by the coaching staff, sparking speculation about potential tactical shifts or squad rotation strategies ahead of the AFCON.
Despite these absences, several established names remain in the fold. Goalkeeper Hervé Koffi, central defender Edmond Tapsoba, right-back Issa Kaboré, winger Bertrand Traoré, and striker Mohamed Konaté are all present, providing a strong backbone of experience to the squad.
The most striking aspect of Traoré’s announcement is the inclusion of six uncapped players. Four of them—Ladji Sanou and Memel Dao (both from AS SONABEL), Hassane Rachid Traoré (USFA), and Jack Pantalou Diarra (Salitas FC)—come from the domestic Burkinabè league. Their selection signals a renewed emphasis on homegrown talent and a desire to broaden the pool of players competing for national team places.
Joining them are two foreign-based newcomers: Ismaël Ganiou, who plies his trade in France with FC Annecy, and Rachid Ayindé, currently developing with Jong KAA Gent in Belgium.
Also making the list is Pierre Landry Kaboré, a midfielder playing in the Estonian league with JK Trans Narva. These inclusions are seen as a strategic move to test the readiness of emerging talent on the international stage.
In addition to the new faces, the squad welcomes back two players returning after recent absences. Guy Arsène Kouassi, currently at Ajaccio, and Cyriaque Irié of Swiss club Fribourg have both been recalled after missing the last international window against Djibouti and Guinea-Bissau.
Still absent, however, is goalkeeper Alban Lafont. Despite ongoing speculation about his possible switch to represent Burkina Faso, the FC Nantes shot-stopper—who endured a difficult season in Ligue 1—remains out of the national team picture. His status continues to provoke debate within football circles in Burkina Faso.
The upcoming matches against Tunisia and Zimbabwe will offer Traoré a valuable opportunity to experiment with different combinations and evaluate the new players under competitive conditions.
With the AFCON fast approaching, the June friendlies are more than just warm-up games—they are auditions for those hoping to secure their place in the squad that will travel to the continental tournament.
