Since January 13, 2024, in Côte d'Ivoire, 24 men's football teams are competing for the title of best African team for the 34th edition of the African Cup of Nations organized by CAF. At this stage, 16 teams, including the Stallions of Burkina Faso, are qualified for the round of 16. To pay tribute to them, today's article will focus on Burkinabe football in general as well as on the journey of our valiant Stallions, who carry within them the hope of an entire nation, that this cup returns to the Land of Upright People. Thank you for joining us.
[This article focuses on the men's national team]
The Burkinabè Football Federation.
The Burkinabè Football Federation (FBF) is an association bringing together football clubs from Burkina Faso and organizing national competitions and international matches for the Burkina Faso selection. The national federation of Burkina Faso was founded in 1960 under the name of Voltaic Football Federation, taking its current name in 1984 when the Republic of Upper Volta became Burkina Faso. It has been affiliated with FIFA since 1964 and has been a member of CAF since 1964. (Wikipedia) 7 presidents succeeded each other, whose names follow: Adrien Bobo Tapsoba, Boureima Badini, Souley Mohamed, Honoré Nabéré Traoré, Zambendé Théodore Sawadogo, Sita Sangaré and since 2020, Lazare Bancé.
The Stallions at AFCON.
The African Cup of Nations appeared in 1957, three years before the European Nations Championship. At its beginnings, this competition was only reserved for a few nations because decolonization was still ongoing in Africa, there was only a small group of States. With access to independence, the number of teams involved increased to reach 24. Burkina Faso had 12 participations (1978, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2021).
The Stallions have been finalists once (2013), third once (2017), and fourth twice (1998, 2021). Burkina Faso was the host country in 1998. Even if they did not win, the Stallions still lived up to their status. They finished 2nd in Group A behind Cameroon with 6 points after a defeat (1-0) against the Indomitable Lions in the opening and two victories against Algeria (2-1) and against Guinea (1-0). In the quarter-finals, Burkina Faso defeated Tunisia in penalties (8-7), 1-1 after extra time, but not enough to secure their place in the final. They played their classification match against the DRC at the Ouagadougou municipal stadium in front of 25,000 attendants. A match that remained in the memories after multiple twists and turns. After extra time, the DRC and Burkina Faso drew with four goals everywhere. A spectacular meeting, rich in goals. The Leopards finally won in the penalty shootout (4-1) and finished 3rd in the 1998 CAN. Leaving the Stallions 4th place in 'their' AFCON.
The Stallions in the FIFA rankings.
According to the latest official FIFA ranking published on Thursday, April 6, 2023, the Stallions are now 9th in Africa ahead of the Eagles of Mali and just behind the Elephants of Côte d'Ivoire. Worldwide, the Stallions are 57th behind Jamaica. The women's team is 133rd in the world, just before the Lebanese national team.
Our jersey (2024).
On December 11, 2023, the equipment manufacturer TOVIO presented on the RTB set, the new jersey of the Burkinabè football team. This jersey is called “sports resilience.” But we can go further by evoking the resilience of the Burkinabè people despite the trials they are going through. The new jersey comes in 3 colors: white, green, and yellow. Visible on the jersey are the logos of the equipment manufacturer and the Burkinabè Football Federation. With a V-neck, which symbolizes victory, the sports resilience jersey also bears the monument of national heroes. The said monument is surrounded by 5 points which represent solidarity and sacred union. The vertical path echoes the beats of the supporters, with a reminder of the national flag. With its mask-like appearance, the jersey also symbolizes the culture and values of Upright Men. The slogan of this jersey is: “Sports resilience, more than a jersey, a symbol of pride and unity for the victory of Burkina Faso.”
After a victory against the Mourabitounes, followed by a draw against the Eagles of Carthage and a defeat against the Palancas Negras (the black antelopes), the Stallions came out with a score of 4 points. They thus get their ticket to the 8th finals where they will face the Eagles of Mali. We wish them good luck, and may the best win! Thank you for reading us. God bless you. Take care of yourself.
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