Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – An exciting crop of eleven Burkina Faso players are set to make their Africa Cup of Nations bows next month when the Stallions kick off their campaign in Ivory Coast.
Coach Hubert Velud named a 27-man provisional squad on Wednesday including several newcomers to the continental showpiece.
With a good blend of seasoned campaigners and promising youngsters, Velud will be hopeful his selection can improve on Burkina Faso’s semi-final run in 2017.
But for the likes of goalkeeper Hillel Konaté, 28, defender Valentin Nouma, 23, and midfielder Sacha Bansé, 22, just being part of the squad represents a career highlight.
The rookies will be desperate to seize their opportunity to impress on their AFCON debuts.
Nouma has been solid at the back this term for Congolese club Saint Eloi Lupopo while Konaté has shone between the sticks for French third-tier outfit Châteauroux.
Elsewhere, 19-year-old goalkeeper Sebastien Koula Tou of Spanish side Sabadell and sheriff Tiraspol defender Cedric Badolo, 25, will also be earning their first call-ups.
FC Basel loanee Nasser Djiga, 21, is expected to marshal the back four having been ever-present there during qualification despite his tender age.
In attack, Accra Lions’ Stephane Aziz Ki – the current Tanzanian league top scorer – and Quevilly midfielder Mamady Alex Bangre provide the new blood alongside the more familiar names.
After coming so close four years ago when only eventually defeated by Nigeria in the last four, Velud will hope his young debutants can help Burkina Faso take the next step this time around.
