Burkina Faso heads into the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 with high expectations once again. The Stallions are known for their fearless style of play and strong team spirit, qualities that have established them as a consistent force in Africa’s upper tier over the past decade. Unlike many sides that rely on individual stars, Burkina Faso shines through collective strength. With a blend of experience and youthful energy, they aim to finally take that last step toward eternal glory.
- Nickname: The Stallions
- Head coach: Brama Traoré
- Football Association: Fédération Burkinabè de Football
- AFCON appearances: 13 times
- FIFA ranking: 64
Burkina Faso’s Match Schedule
Burkina Faso has been drawn into Group E, alongside Algeria, Equatorial Guinea and Sudan. Below is their full group stage schedule, including dates, times and venues. So you know exactly when to follow the Stallions.
| 24 December | Group stage |
 Burkina Faso Equatorial Guinea | 2 1 |
| 28 December | Group stage |
 Algeria Burkina Faso | 1 0 |
| 31 December | Group stage |
 Sudan Burkina Faso | 0 2 |
| 6 January | Round of 16 |
 Côte d’Ivoire Burkina Faso | 3 0 |
Stats Burkina Faso AFCON 2025
Top scorer
| # | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Arsène Kouassi | 1 |
| 2. | Edmond Tapsoba | 1 |
| 3. | Lassina Traoré | 1 |
| 4. | Georgi Minoungou | 1 |
Assists
| # | Player | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Dango Ouattara | 2 |
| 2. | Stephane Aziz Ki | 1 |
Rating
| # | Player | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Arsène Kouassi | 7,4 |
| 2. | Edmond Tapsoba | 7,3 |
| 3. | Gustavo Sangaré | 7,2 |
| 4. | Issoufou Dayo | 7,0 |
| 5. | Bertrand Traoré | 7,0 |
| 6. | Ibrahim Blati Touré | 6,7 |
| 7. | Stephane Aziz Ki | 6,7 |
| 8. | Saidou Simporé | 6,7 |
| 9. | Lassina Traoré | 6,7 |
| 10. | Ismahila Ouédraogo | 6,6 |
Burkina Faso Squad
Keepers:
Hervé Koffi (Angers), Kilian Nikièma (ADO Den Haag), Farid Ouédraogo (Al Hilal SC)
Defenders:
Nasser Djiga (Rangers), Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen), Issoufou Dayo (Umm Salal), Adamo Nagalo (PSV), Steeve Yago (Aris Limassol), Issa Kaboré (Wrexham), Arsène Kouassi (Lorient), Abdoul Ayindé (Gent)
Midfielders:
Ibrahim Blati Touré (Pyramids), Cédric Badolo (Spartak Trnava), Saïdou Simporé (National Bank), Mohamed Zougrana (MC Alger), Gustavo Sangaré (FC Noah), Stéphane Aziz Ki (Wydad Casablanca), Ismahila Ouédraogo (Odense BK)
Attackers:
Bertrand Traoré (Sunderland), Dango Ouattara (Brentford), Ousseni Bouda (San Jose Eathquakes), Pierre Landry Kaboré (Hearts), Georgi Minoungou (Seattle Sounders), Cyriaque Irié (Freiburg), Lassina Traoré (Shaktar Donetsk)
Head Coach Burkina Faso
Appointed in March 2023 after Burkina Faso’s round of 16 exit in Côte d’Ivoire, Brama Traoré is a former international who earned 29 caps for the Stallions. With coaching experience at youth level, including guiding the U20 side to silver at the Jeux de la Francophonie, he knows the country’s talent pool inside out.
Traoré is tactically versatile, frequently switching between formations like 4-1-4-1, 4-3-3, and 4-2-3-1. That adaptability was key during the qualification, where his side showed both resilience and creativity. AFCON 2025 gives him the platform to cement his legacy and push Burkina Faso closer to a maiden continental title.
Star Player Burkina Faso
Edmond Tapsoba has become the face of Burkinabè football. The Bayer Leverkusen centre-back is regarded as one of the Bundesliga’s finest defenders, combining intelligence, composure on the ball and sheer physical power. A cornerstone in Leverkusen’s recent domestic and European success, he is not only a defensive rock but also a threat on set pieces.
For the Stallions, Tapsoba is equally indispensable. With dozens of caps and multiple Africa Cup campaigns under his belt, his leadership and calm decision-making provide the backbone of the team. Remarkably, at just 25 years old, he has already become a symbol of stability and ambition for Burkina Faso.
Burkina Faso AFCON History
Burkina Faso’s AFCON journey has been one of gradual growth. Early appearances often ended in the group stage, but from the 1990s onwards, the team began a steady rise.
- 2013: Reached the final for the first time, narrowly losing to Nigeria.
- 2017: Advanced to the semi-finals, finishing fourh.
- 2021: Once again reached the semi-finals, confirming their status as a true tournament team.
These consistent deep runs have proven that Burkina Faso is no longer an outsider but a permanent contender at Africa’s biggest stage. Yet, the elusive first title remains the ultimate goal.
Road to AFCON 2025
Burkina Faso secured qualification with confidence, finishing second behind Senegal in their group. With 10 points, including dominant victories over Malawi and Burundi, they showcased their attacking power. Losses to Senegal and a surprise setback against Malawi revealed areas to improve, but overall, the Stallions demonstrated the balance and resilience that make them dangerous at tournament level.
| Friday 6 September 2024 | |
 Senegal Burkina Faso | 1 1 |
| Tuesday 10 September 2024 | |
Burkina Faso Malawi | 3 1 |
| Thursday 10 October 2024 | |
Burkina Faso Burundi | 4 1 |
| Sunday 13 October 2024 | |
| Burundi Burkina Faso | 0 2 |
| Monday 11 November 2024 | |
| Burkina Faso Senegal | 0 1 |
| Tuesday 19 November 2024 | |
| Malawi Burkina Faso | 3 0 |
| Team | PTS | G | W | D | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senegal | 16 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | +9 |
| Burkina Faso | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | +3 |
| Malawi | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -5 |
| Burundi | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -7 |
Stats
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Lassina Traoré | 2 |
| 2. | Dango Ouattara | 2 |
| 3. | Ousseni Bouda | 1 |
| 4. | Hassane Bandé | 1 |
| 5. | Sacha Bansa | 1 |
| 6. | Issoufou Dayo | 1 |
| 7. | Bertrand Traoré | 1 |
| 8. | Mohamed Konate | 1 |
Assists
| Player | Assists | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Cedric Badolo | 2 |
| 2. | Issa Kaboré | 2 |
| 3. | Saidou Simporé | 1 |
| 4. | Bertrand Traoré | 1 |
Players Rating
| Player | Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Bertrand Traoré | 7,8 |
| 2. | Dango Ouattara | 7,5 |
| 3. | Issa Kaboré | 7,3 |
| 4. | Edmond Tapsoba | 7,3 |
| 5. | Sacha Banse | 7,2 |
| 6. | Lassina Traoré | 7,1 |
| 7. | Steeve Yago | 7,1 |
| 8. | Hassane Bandé | 7,0 |
| 9. | Hervé Koffi | 7,0 |
| 10. | Ousseni Bouda | 7,0 |