Burkina Faso hand four newcomers chance as Abdou names squad for AFCON 2027 qualifiers

Burkina Faso coach Amir Abdou has handed first call-ups to four players in his 25-man squad for the opening two matches of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers.

Ismaël Maïga, Julien Bationo, Mamoutou Ouédraogo and Axel Taonsa are the new faces selected by Abdou as the Stallions prepare to face Benin and the Central African Republic later this month.

Burkina Faso will open their qualifying campaign at home against Benin on 25 September before travelling to Morocco to face the Central African Republic in Casablanca on 28 September.

Abdou announced his squad on Thursday, retaining a number of the country's established internationals while also using the start of the qualifying campaign to introduce younger and less experienced players.

Tapsoba and Djiga lead defence

Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba is among the senior players retained and will once again be expected to play an important role at the heart of the Stallions defence.

He is joined by Nasser Djiga and Issa Kaboré, while Arsène Kouassi, Rachid Gnanou and Arthur Zagre are also included among the defensive options.

Maïga and Mamoutou Ouédraogo have an opportunity to establish themselves after receiving their first call-ups.

Abdou has selected three goalkeepers, with Farid Ouédraogo and Kylian Nikiema joining the experienced Hervé Koffi.

New faces in midfield

The midfield contains two of the four newcomers, with Bationo and Taonsa selected alongside Rachid Kouda and Bebel Doumbia.

Their inclusion gives Abdou an opportunity to assess additional options as Burkina Faso begin another qualifying campaign with ambitions of reaching the continental finals.

The Stallions have traditionally been competitive at the Africa Cup of Nations, and the opening double-header provides an early opportunity to establish themselves in their qualifying group.

Burkina Faso have been drawn alongside Benin, Mauritania and the Central African Republic, making the opening two fixtures particularly important as all four sides begin the battle for qualification.

Ouattara and Traoré provide attacking threat

There is greater international experience in attack, where Dango Ouattara and Lassina Traoré are among the headline selections.

Ouattara has become an important part of the Stallions' attacking set-up, while Traoré provides another established option through the middle.

Abdoul Tapsoba, Georgi Minoungou, Ousséni Bouda and Aboubacar Camara are also included, giving Abdou several alternatives in the final third.

Landry Kabouré and Elohim Kaboré complete the attacking contingent.

The immediate focus will be on the meeting with neighbours Benin on 25 September before the Stallions make the trip to Casablanca three days later.

The match against the Central African Republic will be played on neutral territory in Morocco.

With four newcomers joining an established core featuring Tapsoba, Djiga, Kaboré, Ouattara and Traoré, the two matches will offer Abdou an early opportunity to assess the balance of his squad as Burkina Faso begin their pursuit of a place at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027.

Burkina Faso squad

Goalkeepers: Farid Ouédraogo, Kylian Nikiema, Hervé Koffi.

Defenders: Arsène Kouassi, Ismaël Maïga, Rachid Gnanou, Edmond Tapsoba, Arthur Zagre, Mamoutou Ouédraogo, Nasser Djiga, Issa Kaboré.

Midfielders: Julien Bationo, Rachid Kouda, Axel Taonsa, Bebel Doumbia.

Forwards: Dango Ouattara, Georgi Minoungou, Abdoul Tapsoba, Ousséni Bouda, Landry Kabouré, Elohim Kaboré, Lassina Traoré, Aboubacar Camara.