Our football is sick, and we are going to find remedies – Burkina Faso president Captain Ibrahim Traoré

Burkina Faso president Captain Ibrahim Traoré has announced plans for significant changes to the country’s football structure, saying the government will take steps to address what he described as deep-rooted problems within the sport.

Traoré said Burkina Faso’s football system is currently facing serious difficulties and indicated that important decisions would be taken in the coming days to put the sport on a new path.

“Our football is sick, and we are going to find remedies,” Traoré said.

“To invest, we must first treat the illness. This week, we will have important decisions to make so that everything can move forward. New things will emerge.”

The comments signal a potentially significant intervention by the Burkinabé state in football affairs, with Traoré suggesting that structural and financial issues need to be addressed before further investment can have the desired impact.

The announcement is expected to generate considerable interest within Burkina Faso’s football community, particularly over the future management and development of the game at both domestic and national-team level.

One area likely to come under scrutiny is the use of public funds and commercial contracts linked to football activities.

There have been calls for the authorities to examine contracts and invoices involving Sport Edge, a company associated with Safwen Aidi, to determine whether the amounts paid were justified and whether the company’s involvement in football-related projects delivered value for money.

Questions have also been raised about Sport Edge’s role in the organisation of Burkina Faso’s match against Argentina, including an alleged commission of $100,000.

Those claims have not been independently established in the information available and would require verification through the relevant contracts, invoices and financial records. Any review by the authorities could therefore provide greater clarity on the arrangements surrounding the match and the payments involved.

Traoré’s intervention comes as Burkina Faso seeks to strengthen its football development structures and provide greater opportunities for young players.

The president also praised the country’s Under-15 women’s team and highlighted the potential of Burkina Faso’s youth, stressing the need for stronger support for emerging footballers.

His comments suggest that youth development could form part of the broader reforms being considered.

The focus on the women’s Under-15 side also underlines the importance of expanding investment beyond the senior men’s national team, particularly in grassroots football and women’s football.

Burkina Faso has produced a number of talented players in recent years, with the national team establishing itself as a competitive force in African football. However, sustained progress requires investment in infrastructure, coaching, youth development and effective football administration.

Traoré’s statement that “new things will emerge” therefore sets the stage for potentially far-reaching decisions concerning the organisation and financing of football in the country.

The precise measures have yet to be announced, but the president’s comments indicate that changes could come soon, with the government expected to outline its next steps after reviewing the current state of the game.