Edmond Tapsoba: "We're playing for the title"

Edmond Tapsoba, we imagine you must be very pleased with how your club Bayer Leverkusen have performed in the first half of the season?

Yes, we've had a fairly positive first half of the season. We're top of the league and we've gone 25 matches unbeaten. Personally, I'd say it's been positive too, because I've played pretty much every game. Now it's up to me to keep working hard and do even more.

In last summer's transfer window, you were in big demand but you ended up staying at Leverkusen. Did you sense Bayer would have a good season?

That's true, there were offers, but after speaking with the Leverkusen directors, I saw that their project was a good one for my development and my maturity. So I decided to stay and carry on learning.

Do you believe in the title this year with Bayer Leverkusen?

Yes, we believe. Since the start of the season, our aim has been to play for the title.

Is Tapsoba sure to finish the season at Leverkusen?

I tell myself that, as we've made a good start in the league, I'll finish the season there. But you never know, especially as we can't predict the future. So we're keeping our fingers crossed and we'll see what happens.

Edmond Tapsoba: "We're working so as not to let our fans down"

The 2023 AFCON is just a few days away now. How are you preparing for this edition?

I'm preparing the same way as for the last AFCON, which we played in Cameroon. We're trying to work towards our goals and not let our fans down. This 2023 AFCON will be tough given the quality on show, with every nation wanting to do better.

So does Edmond Tapsoba expect a high standard at the 2023 AFCON?

Yes, we all know this Africa Cup of Nations is going to be tough because there are no small teams in Africa any more. Today, all the teams are evenly matched. So it's going to be tricky. As a result, we'll have to take things seriously from the start.

What's your view of your group (Algeria, Burkina, Mauritania, Angola)?

It's a pretty tough group. There are no small teams in Africa any more. All the teams are improving day by day. It's true that many say Algeria and Burkina Faso are the favourites in our group, but I don't think that. Angola are a side on the rise again. With Mauritania, we played a friendly against them and I admit it wasn't easy. We'll have to manage things well so we're not caught out in the end.

Will Burkina do better at this AFCON than at the last edition in Cameroon?

Yes, I'd say we can do better this year. We must do better, because in everyone's life the aim is to strive to do better than yesterday. We finished 4th in Cameroon. It's up to us to do a lot to finish higher than 4th.

Is the AFCON title possible?

Yes, it's possible. It's doable and I really believe in it.

How do you rate the Burkina Étalons squad for this 2023 AFCON?

To be honest, there's no problem between us. It's people on the outside who don't understand and think otherwise. We're on the inside and we know what we live. We live like a family. And that's what makes us strong. When you look at Burkina's team sheet, you won't see much, but on the pitch it's something else. So that's our strength. Everything's fine.

Ablam GNAMESSO