Football - Burkina Faso: New faces within the stallions

Burkina Faso Stallions head coach Amir Abdou has called on several new talents, mainly in defense, while recalling key players after absences. These choices reflect a desire to rejuvenate the workforce and bring freshness and competition. These matches against Russia and Belarus offer an excellent opportunity to test the group against different styles of play, while refining the preparation for the next playoffs of the AFCON 2027 which will start in September 2026.

Born on 4 October 2001 in Neuilly-sur-Seine (France) to a Burkinabe father, Arthur Zagre is one of the most promising profiles on this list. Trained at Paris Saint-Germain, this 24-year-old left-back represents a modern and technical profile that the staff has long been looking for.

Arthur Zagre (24 years old, left-back – Excelsior Rotterdam, Netherlands)
Versatile left-back capable of playing in the piston, Arthur Zagré is 1.68 m tall and shines with his speed, dribble and ability to climb in support. After stints at Utrecht and FC Emmen, he won at Excelsior. His first call at the stallions marks a turning point: he represents the incarnation of a new generation of the Burkinabe diaspora. His arrival strengthens a left wing often in search of sustainable solutions.

Cyrille Dao (20 years old, central defender – National Bank of Egypt)

Born on November 10, 2005, this large gauge (1.85 m) embodies the future of the Burkinabe hinge. Regular starter in the Egyptian Premier League, he impresses with his reading of the game, his placement and his aerial solidity.

Cyrille Dao has already joined the group and represents a long-term bet for Amir Abdou, who is betting on the early maturity of this young talent trained locally at Real du Faso before his expatriation.

Hanaby Hadalou Sagné (25 years old, central defender – AS Douanes)

Playing in the Burkinabe championship, Fasofoot Ligue 1, Hadalou Sagné brings a local dimension and a detailed knowledge of African physical requirements. At 25 years old, is a leader in the making, appreciated for his commitment and ability to anticipate. His summoning rewards a good season with AS Douanes.

«This is my first selection with the A team of the Stallions. I give thanks to God and also thank the coach for the trust he has placed in me. If he summoned me, it’s because he saw something in me. Now it is up to me to continue working, to progress and to develop my qualities in order to always deserve this trust.” An initial call-up with the A’s, even though he already has caps for the local team (CHAN).

Aboubacar Bassinga (20 years old, central midfield – AD Ceuta, Spain, on loan from Las Palmas)

Born on July 13, 2005 in Côte d'Ivoire but eligible for Burkina Faso, this 1.78m relay medium brings technique, vision and a great ability to recover. Playing in the Spanish Segunda División, he embodies the modern profile, the box-to-box with a good tactical sense. Its versatility will be valuable for making the connection between defense and attack.

The Stallion group is almost complete. Only Aboubacar Bassinga is still missing. The midfielder is expected in the next few hours to complete Amir Abdou’s squad.
The expected returns

Hilal (or Hillel) Konaté (Troyes, France)

The goalkeeper, nominated among the best in Ligue 2, season 2025-2026, is making a comeback after a long absence with the Burkina Faso Stallions. His presence significantly strengthens option 1 in the goals.

Abdoul Fessal Tapsoba (Radomiak Radom, Poland)

The versatile striker, who has had a good performance at the club, is back with the Stallions after the 2023 AFCON. His speed and ability to finish actions will be valuable assets.

The Étalons du Burkina Faso began their preparation in Ouagadougou on May 22, 2026 at the Stade du 4 Août, with a first group reduced to 11 players. This pre-grouping aimed to bring everyone back to the same physical level after the end of the championships. The internship ended at the end of May before leaving for Russia.

Amir Abdou insists on the intensity of the sessions, the tactical work and the cohesion. These two friendly matches against Russia and Belarus will allow to gauge the level against organized and physical teams, far from African habits. The goal is clear: to refine the automatisms, evaluate the new ones, and build a competitive team for the next qualifiers of the African Cup of Nations 2027.