Burkina Faso-Brama Traoré: "I haven't left anyone out"

The new coach of Burkina Faso's Stallions, Brama Traoré, has called up 25 players for friendlies against Libya on 22 March and Niger on the 26th. Senior players Hervé Koffi, Issoufou Dayo and captain Bertrand Traoré have not been selected for these fixtures. The 61-year-old coach explained his decision.

"There isn't a single player I've forgotten. I've just arrived and I know that, as far as Bertrand Traoré is concerned, he has just arrived and he is one of our best players, but I think we need to let him get game time at his club, and I think these two matches are only friendlies. I think we need to bring in others to strengthen the potential of our team. Otherwise, I haven't left anyone out", Traoré said at a press conference.

Regarding Hervé Koffi, Brama Traoré wants to find a potential replacement for the goalkeeper as soon as possible. "We can't just keep saying Koffi, Koffi. And what if Koffi isn't there? When Koffi is unavailable, what are we going to do? I think it's the time to build the youngsters' confidence", he explained.

Brama Traoré has called up two players from the Burkinabé league, a chance for him to unearth new talent. "This is the time to look for quality, because you don't go testing players at the World Cup", the coach said. He had also stated when he was appointed that players will need to perform to be called up to the national team.