TOTALENERGIES CAF AFCON: Bertrand Traore has sights on excellence

Bertrand Traore has huge ambitions. Of the many, is a quest to excel at this year’s TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023.

In this exclusive with CAFOnline, the youngster talks strength of the collective, the Burkinabe fans, tournament goals and the perfect campaign.

What are your impressions so far about the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON? 

The games I have seen so far, the big teams are in trouble. If you see the opening game of Nigeria, Egypt and Ghana, you’ll think they will get the three points and start the competition comfortably but it was the other way round and that put pressure on every team now, you can say every team, you can see the level is very high, you have to respect every opponent, that’s our point of view.

How are you managing the young ones and experienced ones?

We have young players coming up and experienced players but the young players, we have, they are very competitive, they play in their respective teams and they are ambitious and not afraid of anyone, they are hungry to play so it’s a good thing.

How well do you think this team can do in this group with opposition like Algeria, Angola and Mauritania 

We have a tough group. I will say because if people see the group, they will say because we got to the semifinals the last time, we will qualify with Algeria but we played Mauritania few months ago, it was a tough game and that was a friendly and you know in the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, everyone can step up because there is more motivation and the environment is good so it is going to be a different game and we need to be ready for it.

What does it take for a player to do well in the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON?

I think sometimes, it is in details. These games can make a difference in small details; they way you will start, the way you prepare to get into the game and stay focused to end of the game.

I think this squad has a little bit of experience because the last TotalEnergies CAF AFCON we had few games we were in control of and at the end we almost lost the game so now I think we have a little experience; we will try to manage the games.

What is the strength of this team that others don’t have?

Our main strength is our mentality and the desire and it is the identity of our country. We know our strength, we know our qualities and we are humble enough to know where we are and where we come from so we play to our strengths and we need to fight for each other

The good thing about Burkina Faso is that, we don’t have a big star to be on top of everyone so we are all on the same level and we respect everyone both those on the bench and those home.

What will count as success for Burkina Faso in here Côte d’Ivoire?

It is simple, the dream of Burkinabe is to win the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON because we have been so close many times and with the tournament going on here which is close to us.

How much are you looking forward to your fans being the 12th man here in Cote d’Ivoire?

This is also a big thing and can make a lot of difference because for the past two years, we have played away from home because our stadium is being suspended and they are renovating. It’s easier for our people to be here, I know it will help us.