Burkina Faso: the 6 frontrunners to succeed Hubert Velud

Six coaches are in the running to succeed Hubert Velud, a source within the executive committee of the Burkinabè Football Federation (FBF) has told online outlet Sport News Africa. They are Oscar Barro, Brama Traoré, Pierre Bazié, Moussa Sanogo, known as Falcao, Narcisse Yameogo and Brahima Traoré.

Malo and Firmin out of the picture?

Burkinabè football's top officials are keen to restore the pride of the national team with a coach who can help them build a competitive side to reach the summit of African football in the years ahead. With the shortlist drawn up, the commission tasked with reviewing the applications must now make its decision, examining each profile case by case.

Kamou Malo, the current coach of AS Douanes, who led the Burkina Faso Stallions to fourth place at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon, is reportedly out of the race, according to the latest information. The source at Sport News Africa also says that Firmin Sanou, assistant under Paulo Duarte and then Kamou Malo, is reportedly out as well.

Oscar Barro in pole position

First among the favourites is Oscar Barro. The current coach of the local national team and of Racing Club de Bobo (RCB) pulled off a remarkable feat by winning the national championship with both rival clubs from the city of Bobo-Dioulasso, AS Fonctionnaire and Racing. Oscar Barro also won gold at the African Games in Morocco in 2019 with the U20 Stallions. He took charge as caretaker in March 2022, after Kamou Malo left the senior Stallions. During that spell, Barro oversaw two friendlies, against Kosovo and Belgium.

Another name in the race is Brama Traoré, who was assistant to Paul Put during his time in charge of Burkina Faso. He has worked with the local national team and is currently coach of the U20 national side. With that team, Brama Traoré enjoyed a creditable run at the UFOA Zone West B tournament. He also won silver with the U20 Stallions at the latest Francophonie Games, held in DR Congo.

Pierre Bazié also on the shortlist

Without declaring his interest, Pierre Bazié, a coach working in Europe, has a European track record as a youth coach and assistant coach in Denmark. Alongside Pierre Bazié, the name of Moussa Sanogo, known as Falcao, current coach of Majestic Sporting Club de Saponé, has been mentioned. The man who brought a German style of play to the Académiciens de Saponé is every bit as serious a contender as the others.

Narcisse Yameogo, the former Burkinabè international, is also reportedly on the shortlist, even if there are some doubts. According to some sources at Sport News Africa, Narcisse Yameogo, currently working with the Togo national team alongside Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte, has reportedly not put in an application. And with good reason: the Togolese Football Federation (FTF) extended their contracts 4 months ago for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, with the tournament to be held in Morocco.

Last on the list is Brahima Traoré, known as El Professeur, the current coach of the U17 Stallions. He finished third in the latest qualifying tournament for the 2023 U17 AFCON in the U17 Zone West B with the junior side. He won bronze at the 2023 U17 AFCON and also played at the 2023 U17 World Cup.

The Burkinabè Football Federation (FBF) will make its choice on 7 March at the emergency meeting of the executive committee.

Ablam GNAMESSO