Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – January 14, 2026 – The Burkina Faso Football Federation (FBF) has officially terminated the contract of head coach Brama Traoré and his complete technical staff following the national team's elimination from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. The decision, announced on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, comes after a thorough review deemed the Stallions' performance "far below" the pre-tournament expectations set by the federation.
FBF President Oumarou Sawadogo described the outcome as a "bitter disappointment," emphasizing that the team's clear objective heading into the continental showcase was to reach at least the semi-finals. "The decision was taken after results well below what was expected of our national team at the continental tournament," Sawadogo stated in the official release. He highlighted the deep disappointment felt by supporters, stakeholders, and the governing body, noting that the early exit has prompted immediate action to seek new leadership for the Étalons (Stallions).
Traoré, aged 63, was appointed in March 2024 to replace Frenchman Hubert Velud, who had been dismissed after Burkina Faso's last-16 exit at the previous AFCON edition in 2023. Traoré's tenure lasted approximately 22 months, during which he oversaw preparations for the 2025 tournament and qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, Burkina Faso failed to qualify for the World Cup, adding further pressure to the AFCON campaign.
The team's downfall came in the Round of 16, where they suffered a convincing 3-0 defeat to defending champions and regional rivals Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) on Monday, January 6, 2026, at the Stade de Marrakech. Manchester United winger Amad Diallo was the standout performer for the Elephants, opening the scoring in the 20th minute with a composed finish after surging past defenders. He then provided a precise assist for Yan Diomande's second goal in the 32nd minute, before substitute Bazoumana Touré sealed the victory with a third late in the game. The result marked a dominant display by the Ivorians, who progressed to the quarter-finals to face Egypt.
Burkina Faso's group stage performance had offered some promise. In Group E, the Stallions secured second place with wins over Sudan and Equatorial Guinea, but suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to Algeria. The victory against Equatorial Guinea was particularly dramatic, as the team trailed late before scoring twice in stoppage time—through Georgi Minoungou in the 95th minute and Edmond Tapsoba in the 98th—to snatch a 2-1 win. Despite these results, the side struggled to maintain consistency against stronger opposition, exposing tactical and execution issues that culminated in the heavy knockout defeat.
The sacking makes Traoré the second coaching casualty of the tournament, following Tunisia's Sami Trabelsi, who was dismissed after his team's Round of 16 elimination. The FBF's statement expressed gratitude to Traoré and his staff for their service since 2024, wishing them success in future endeavors, while assuring fans and partners that a new selection process for the coaching staff would begin immediately.
Burkina Faso's recent AFCON history has seen the nation reach the final in 2013 and semi-finals in 2017 and 2021, establishing them as consistent contenders. However, back-to-back last-16 exits in 2023 and 2025, combined with the World Cup qualification failure, have intensified scrutiny on the team's direction. The federation's pre-tournament ambition reflected confidence in Traoré's ability to build on the "positive momentum" from prior editions, but the results fell short amid a highly competitive field in Morocco, where defending champions Ivory Coast have advanced strongly.
The timing of the dismissal aligns with the need for a fresh start ahead of upcoming international commitments, including 2026 World Cup qualifiers resumption and preparations for future continental cycles. Potential candidates for the vacant position remain speculative, with speculation centering on experienced African tacticians or returning foreign coaches familiar with the region's style.
This development underscores the high stakes and expectations in African football, where continental tournaments often serve as litmus tests for national programs. As the 2025 AFCON continues toward its climax in Morocco, Burkina Faso's early departure and leadership change mark a period of transition for one of the continent's resilient football nations.
