Two Burkinabe youngsters begin trial at Sporting CP

Two young Burkinabe footballers have arrived in Portugal for a trial with Sporting CP as they seek to take the next step in their careers.

Christ Bouabré and Élysé Zida, products of the AD Duha Academy founded by Boureima Maïga, will spend several days with the Portuguese giants undergoing evaluation.

The trial is part of a wider plan to introduce promising Burkinabe talents to European football.

Bouabré, a defender, brings prior European experience from his time at DAC Dunajská Streda, giving him a familiarity with the demands of top-level football outside Africa.

Zida, meanwhile, is hoping this opportunity will allow him to establish himself in Europe for the first time.

“The trial at Sporting CP is a significant step for both players,” said a representative from AD Duha Academy. “We believe Christ and Élysé have the technical ability and mentality to succeed in Europe, and this evaluation period is an important gateway for them.”

After the trial in Portugal, further opportunities could be arranged for the pair in Germany and the Czech Republic, providing additional pathways to professional football in Europe.

Both players are expected to participate in training sessions and friendly matches with Sporting CP’s youth squads to showcase their skills.

This move reflects a growing trend of West African academies creating structured routes for their talents into European clubs.

Success at Sporting CP could pave the way for Bouabré and Zida to secure professional contracts and further develop their careers on the continent.

The trials also highlight Sporting CP’s continued focus on scouting young talent from Africa, a strategy that has historically produced players who have gone on to succeed at both domestic and international levels.