Alain Traoré Confirms AFCON Comeback: “Yes, I’ll Be Ready”
Burkina Faso midfielder Alain Traoré has reassured fans of his return to full fitness and his readiness to feature at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2015. The Lorient player, who has been recovering from injury, made the announcement through a post on his official Facebook page.
“Thank you for your messages, we’ve been working hard for weeks and I can’t wait to be back with the squad (I’ll keep you posted). And yes, I’ll be ready for the African Cup,” wrote Traoré.
The news will come as a significant boost to Burkina Faso, who are placed in Group A alongside Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Congo. The 25-year-old is expected to rejoin team training soon, providing the Stallions with experience and creativity in midfield as they prepare for the continental tournament.
Traoré holds a special place in Burkinabé football history. During the 2013 AFCON in South Africa, he was instrumental in guiding the Stallions to their first-ever final. His campaign began with a dramatic 94th-minute equalizer against Nigeria, after coming off the bench in the opening match. He followed that up with a brace against Ethiopia in the second group game.
However, his inspiring run was cut short during the third group match against defending champions Zambia. Traoré suffered a left thigh injury, ruling him out for two months and dashing hopes of further involvement in the tournament. Despite his absence on the pitch, he was symbolically named on the bench during the final as Burkina Faso fell narrowly to Nigeria.
With that painful memory behind him, Traoré now looks forward to making a full contribution on the field in Equatorial Guinea. His presence could prove vital for Burkina Faso, who aim to build on their impressive run two years ago and stake another claim for continental glory.
As anticipation builds, fans of the Stallions will be eager to see one of their national heroes back in action, ready to deliver magic once more on Africa’s biggest stage.
