Burkina Faso’s national football team, the Stallions, led by coach Hubert Velud, is facing training challenges as key players Bertrand Traoré and Issa Kaboré will no longer be part of the Dubai preparations for the upcoming AFCON 2023.
As is customary for several African national teams participating in the AFCON 2023, Burkina Faso had chosen the Gulf region as their training ground.
However, Coach Velud finds himself compelled to proceed with training using a reduced squad of 25 players out of the originally summoned 27, with both Traoré and Kaboré excluded.
Bertrand Traoré, who sustained an injury on November 21, 2023, during Burkina Faso’s second day of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, is still undergoing treatment and has not fully recovered.
Despite reassurances from his brother, Alain Traoré, regarding the progress of his health, the stalwart forward’s availability remains uncertain, casting a shadow over Burkina Faso’s preparations for the continental tournament.
Meanwhile, administrative hurdles have kept Issa Kaboré stranded in London, preventing his timely arrival in Dubai.
The Burkinabè Football Federation confirmed that both Traoré and Kaboré will skip the Dubai phase and instead join the team directly in Bouaké on January 11, 2024, as they work to resolve the respective challenges.
This unexpected development presents a notable setback for Burkina Faso, as the absence of Traoré’s prowess on the field and Kaboré’s playmaking abilities poses a challenge for Coach Velud’s strategic planning.
The team must now adapt swiftly to these changes, aiming to overcome the hurdles and present a formidable force at the upcoming AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast.
