Burkina Faso’s AFCON journey ended not with celebration, but with hard questions and swift consequences. After falling short of expectations at the continental tournament, the football federation moved quickly, making it clear that mediocrity would not be tolerated.
“The decision was taken after results well below what was expected of our national team at the continental tournament,” Burkina Faso Football Federation president Oumarou Sawadogo said on Wednesday, January 14.
Sawadogo described the campaign as a “bitter disappointment,” noting that the team had set its sights on reaching at least the semi-finals. That ambition never materialised, and the pain was compounded by Burkina Faso’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The final blow came on Monday in Marrakesh, where the Stallions were outclassed 3–0 by defending champions Ivory Coast. Manchester United winger Amad Diallo opened the scoring and later set up Yan Diomande for the second before halftime, putting the game beyond reach early.
Despite victories over Sudan and Equatorial Guinea in the group stage, defeats to Algeria and Ivory Coast proved costly.
Traore, 63, had only taken charge in March 2024 after replacing Frenchman Hubert Velud, who was dismissed following a last-16 exit at the previous Africa Cup of Nations.
