Burkina Faso’s national team faces mounting concerns ahead of their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Senegal, with several key players yet to arrive at the team camp in Bamako. With the highly anticipated match just three days away, the absence of prominent figures such as Edmond Tapsoba, Hervé Koffi, and Issa Kaboré is raising questions about the team’s preparations.
Coach Brama Traoré and his squad have already begun training, completing their second session today.
However, the team’s preparation is being hampered by the delayed arrival of six key players who are yet to report to camp.
In addition to Tapsoba, Koffi, and Kaboré, Blati Touré, Nasser Djiga, and Franck Lassina Traoré have also not arrived in Bamako due to logistical difficulties.
The delays are reportedly the result of limited direct flights to Bamako, particularly affecting Edmond Tapsoba, who has been stranded in Ouagadougou for several days. The defender, who plays for Bayer Leverkusen, is a critical part of Burkina Faso’s defense, and his prolonged absence is a significant concern for the coaching staff.
In addition to flight issues, many of the players were involved in club matches over the weekend, adding further complications to their travel schedules.
Despite these challenges, the national team staff remains hopeful that the remaining players will join the camp by Tuesday evening, giving them at least a day of preparation before the showdown with Senegal.
The delayed arrival of these players presents a significant challenge for Burkina Faso as they look to kick off their qualifying campaign with a strong performance against one of Africa’s top teams.
With Senegal boasting a formidable squad, Burkina Faso will need all hands on deck to secure a positive result in this critical opening fixture.
The team’s coaching staff is closely monitoring the situation, with a focus on ensuring that the missing players integrate seamlessly into the squad upon their arrival.
Their presence will be crucial as Burkina Faso seeks to navigate a tough qualifying group and secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON tournament, which will be held in Morocco.
The Burkinabe squad will be relying on the leadership and experience of players like Tapsoba, Koffi, and Kaboré to inspire the team in what promises to be a challenging road to qualification.
All eyes are now on the delayed players’ arrivals, as their participation could make the difference in Burkina Faso’s quest for a successful start to the qualifiers.
