In a statement released on Wednesday, the Burkina Faso Football Federation (FBF) said the decision was reached after the team’s performance at the continental tournament in Morocco failed to meet the objectives set prior to the competition.
“The results recorded at the Africa Cup of Nations fall far short of the goals assigned to the national team,” the federation said, adding that the outcome had generated widespread disappointment among supporters, stakeholders and football authorities in the country.
The Stallions had entered the tournament targeting at least a semi-final finish but were convincingly beaten 3-0 by defending champions Ivory Coast in the first knockout round. The defeat brought a premature end to Burkina Faso’s AFCON campaign and intensified scrutiny of the technical bench.
FBF president Oumarou Sawadogo said the decision to part ways with Traore and his staff was taken in the best interests of the national team.
“This poor performance has caused deep disappointment among supporters, actors in national football and governing bodies,” Sawadogo said, signalling the federation’s intention to begin a new technical direction.
Traore, 63, had been appointed in March 2024, taking over from French coach Hubert Velud, who was relieved of his duties after Burkina Faso were eliminated at the same stage during the 2023 AFCON. Traore’s tenure was therefore short-lived, lasting less than a year.
Despite early optimism surrounding his appointment, the federation concluded that the team had failed to show sufficient progress on the continental stage, prompting the latest shake-up within the technical department.
Elsewhere in West African football, Mali’s game has been plunged into uncertainty following the resignation of 10 members of the country’s football federation executive committee.
The resignations affected more than half of the 19-member executive, raising concerns about leadership and governance at the Mali Football Federation (Femafoot).
The developments came shortly after the Eagles reached the quarter-finals of AFCON 2025, matching their performance at the previous tournament in Ivory Coast.
Femafoot has, however, moved quickly to dismiss speculation that national team coach Tom Saintfiet could also be facing dismissal.
“Coach Saintfiet has not been dismissed, and no decision has been taken in that regard,” Femafoot communications officer Ladji Kone told BBC Sport Africa.
Femafoot president Mamatou Toure, popularly known as Bavieux, was not among those who resigned. Toure was elected to a second term in April 2023 while in detention over alleged corruption charges and was released in April 2024 after spending 622 days in custody.
Sources familiar with the situation say the current crisis stems from long-standing administrative dysfunction and internal disagreements within the federation.
Saintfiet, a Belgian national who took charge of Mali in September 2024, distanced himself from the unfolding controversy, saying his focus remains strictly on football matters.
“I am in Belgium and I am not following what is happening on the internet,” the 52-year-old told BBC Sport Africa.
Femafoot has, however, moved quickly to dismiss speculation that national team coach Tom Saintfiet could also be facing dismissal.
“Coach Saintfiet has not been dismissed, and no decision has been taken in that regard,” Femafoot communications officer Ladji Kone told BBC Sport Africa.
Femafoot president Mamatou Toure, popularly known as Bavieux, was not among those who resigned. Toure was elected to a second term in April 2023 while in detention over alleged corruption charges and was released in April 2024 after spending 622 days in custody.
Sources familiar with the situation say the current crisis stems from long-standing administrative dysfunction and internal disagreements within the federation.
Saintfiet, a Belgian national who took charge of Mali in September 2024, distanced himself from the unfolding controversy, saying his focus remains strictly on football matters.
“I am in Belgium and I am not following what is happening on the internet,” the 52-year-old told BBC Sport Africa.
“I coached Mali to the quarter-finals for the second time in a row. That is the only thing I can say.”
The developments in both Burkina Faso and Mali underline the growing pressure on football administrators across the continent to deliver stability and results at major international tournaments.
The developments in both Burkina Faso and Mali underline the growing pressure on football administrators across the continent to deliver stability and results at major international tournaments.
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