At the age of 61 with a wealth of experience under his belt, Brama Traoré is now taking charge of the Burkina Faso national soccer team, the Burkina Faso Football Federation (FBF) announced on Monday, March 11, 2024 at a press conference in Ouagadougou. Brama Traoré has played for a number of national teams and has also played in the Burkina Faso league. Brama Traoré succeeds French coach Hubert Velud.What can we learn from him?
Who is Brama Traoré?
"Chercheur" is the pseudonym by which he is known in Burkina Faso soccer circles. Brama Traoré, the new coach of Burkina Faso's Étalons seniors, is a well-known figure on the soccer scene in Burkina Faso and on the continent. A CAF A License holder, the Bobo-Dioulasso native was Paul Put's deputy between 2013 and 2016 at the helm of the national team. As an assistant, he took part in the 2015 CAF Africa Cup of Nations. A number of other national teams have benefited from his special touch. Brama Traoré, who was previously in charge of the U20 and U23 national teams, took charge of the junior Stallions between 1999 and 2022, and the local Stallions between 2012 and 2015. He is familiar with virtually all the national teams.
To his credit, he recently won a silver medal with the junior Etalons at the 2023 Francophonie games, and a bronze medal at the UFOA West Zone B tournament, played in July 2022. With the local Etalons, he took part in the African Nations Championship, CHAN 2014. Brama Traoré was crowned silver medalist at the African Games in Brazzaville, Congo. He is also a quarter-finalist in the 2021 Jeux de la Francophonie in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
"Chercheur" is also a connoisseur of Burkina Faso's national soccer championship. He left an indelible mark on his time on the Racing Club de Bobo-Dioulasso (RCB) bench. His first spell with the Tigers was between 1995 and 2000, followed by a second spell between 2005 and 2008. With the Diaradougou team, Brama Traoré played in the final of the Coupe du Faso in the 2005-2006 season and won the Cup the following season.
The new Burkina Faso Stallions coach has benefited from a number of training courses in his field, including one in video analysis in the Netherlands. He also took part in training courses in Germany on training methodology and physical preparation, without forgetting the FIFA training courses taken in Ouagadougou.
Brama Traoré is himself a former Etalon
As a player, he wore the colors of Faso between 1986 and 1993.He also played for JCB (Jeunesse Club de Bobo-Dioulasso), from 1980 to 1982, and RCB (Racing Club de Bobo-Dioulasso), from 1982 to 1993. He speaks French, English and Dioula. He has the onerous task of taking Burkina Faso's national eleven to the top of the continental game, and perhaps even the world.
Expectations
The choice of Brama Traoré has met with unanimous approval in the land of men of integrity. However, the sporting public warns that the "Researcher" will be tasked with rejuvenating the team, building the squad, attracting dual nationals, qualifying Burkina Faso for the AFCON 2025 and going as far as possible before qualifying Burkina for the World Cup.
"He has our support, but he needs to know that we are fans, we are demanding. He has the experience to know the Burkinabe fan. We'll see him through.We're not against anyone; if one day we rise up, it's because it's not done well.In soccer, we're together when things are going well. That's how this sport works," says Yacine Kambou. "The most important thing is not his appointment as coach, but rather his rigor across all the players. We don't need stars, but rather a solid, combative team," adds Anace Zongo.
For Gaël Clément Kadsondo, sports consultant, the new coach of the Etalons of Burkina Faso has the qualities to enable the team to perform well on the pitch: "It's a good choice.
As a player, he wore the colors of Faso between 1986 and 1993.He also played for JCB (Jeunesse Club de Bobo-Dioulasso), from 1980 to 1982, and RCB (Racing Club de Bobo-Dioulasso), from 1982 to 1993. He speaks French, English and Dioula. He has the onerous task of taking Burkina Faso's national eleven to the top of the continental game, and perhaps even the world.
