Nickname: The Stallions
Previous appearances: 10 (1978, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015)
Best finish: Runners-up
Who are they?
Long considered Nations Cup underdogs, and for good reason. Their first participation at the Nations Cup came in 1978, when they lost all three games, and it took another 18 years before they returned. However, their run to the 2013 Final, where they lost 1-0 to Nigeria, has moved them up the bracket to the point where they can now be considered genuine dark horses. That rating must, however, be tempered by a group stage exit at the very next tournament, which seems to cement their yo-yo status. To further complicate matters, their build-up to this tournament has now been compromised by injuries to key starters like Jonathan Pitriopa, Charles Kabore, Prejuce Nakoulma and Bertrand Traore.
Route to Qualification
Pooled with Uganda, Comoros and Botswana, the group was always going to be a straight fight between the Stallions and the Cranes. And so it turned out. Both teams ran neck and neck from the opening day until the final day, and both finished on 13 points, with the Burkinabes winning the group only by virtue of a superior head-to-head record.
Definition of Success
What is success for a team who reached the final at one tournament, then failed to make it out the group at the very next? Add the current outbreak of injuries which has hit them, plus a pool that includes the host country and Cameroon, then its fair to say that just making it out of the group and into the quarterfinals would be an achievement on its own!
Biggest rivals
In 2015, Gabon opened the door to the Stallions’ misery, handing them a 2-0 defeat. Both sides ultimately ended up going home early. The Burkinabes would like nothing better than to hand out immediate payback.
Top Three players
Bertrand Traore, Striker, Ajax (on loan from Chelsea)
Already a two-tournament Nations Cup veteran at the age of 21, Traore is the present and future of Burkina Faso. On the books of Chelsea, Traore looked like he was all set to continue his Stamford Bridge progress after four goals in five games, but it was not enough and he was loaned out to Ajax where he has scored four goals in 13 appearances.
Jonathan Pitriopa, Forward, Al Nasr
At 30, and after a long international career, Pitriopa has become the mainstay of the Burkinabes team. Voted best player at the 2013 edition when Burkina Faso finished as runners-up, the talented wing-wizard will cherish another, perhaps final opportunity to showcase his talent on a platform where he has almost always shone.
Bakary Kone, Defender, Malaga
The dreadlocked defender is as cool as ice when defending under pressure. He has good pace and stamina despite his deceptive slight frame. Kone will bring his experience to bear and it will certainly be a herculean task for the forwards to get past him.
Who brings the African league flavour?
Aristide Bance
The forward became the subject of some viral memes at the 2013 Afcon for his stallion-style mane and, um, not so comely features. He now plays in the Ivorian league for ASEC Mimosas.
How far will they go?
Considering the task facing them in the group phase, the quarterfinals seems the most realistic bet if they can get out of the group.
By Colin Udoh
@ColinUdoh on Twitter
