Three days to go: “We’re ready to fight for our people” - Burkina Faso coach Balboné
Burkina Faso is determined to make a mark at the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, which kicks off on Saturday, 2 August in Tanzania, one of the three host nations along with Kenya and Uganda.
The West African nation will have the honour of playing the opening match of the competition, squaring off against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania in what promises to be a high-octane clash.
Drawn in Group B alongside the Central African Republic, Mauritania, Madagascar, and Tanzania, the Stallions will look to improve on their past performances in the competition.
Led by head coach Issa Balboné, who took over the reins in April 2024, the team recently concluded a vital pre-tournament training camp in Morocco.
Despite being one of the consistent participants in CHAN history, Burkina Faso has never lifted the trophy.
Balboné and his squad now have their sights set firmly on rewriting that history and making a deep run in this year’s edition.
In this interview with CAFOnline.com, Balboné shares insights on his team’s preparations, ambitions, and what this tournament means for him and his players.
A few days before CHAN kicks off, how is Burkina Faso preparing for the competition?
It’s important to note that Burkina Faso qualified with difficulty. We’re fully aware of our situation, but we’re working tirelessly to proudly represent our nation in this competition. While CHAN is indeed a celebration of African football, it’s still a competition in which we must prove our worth.
What takeaways do you have from the training camp you just completed in Morocco? Are you satisfied, and which areas did you particularly focus on?
Our primary goal in Morocco was to work on tactical aspects. I’m satisfied with the group. After losing our first friendly against Morocco, we bounced back a week later and won the second match. That was a very good sign, and it gives us confidence heading into the competition.
So, would you say Burkina Faso is ready for the opening match on 2 August against Tanzania?
We’re already in competition mode; there’s no turning back. As I said, we’re ready to fight and to make the people of Burkina Faso proud.
What are your ambitions for this tournament?
Like every team present at CHAN, our aim is to go as far as possible. That’s what we’re working toward. The players are ready and motivated to achieve something special in this tournament.
Despite strong performances in previous editions, Burkina Faso has never won CHAN. Have you identified the mistakes that prevented you from going all the way?
I believe Burkina Faso was simply unlucky in past editions. Today, we’re calling on our supporters to rally behind us and bless this team so we can finally achieve our objectives.
You’re in Group B with the Central African Republic, Tanzania, Madagascar, and Mauritania. Would you say it’s an accessible group? What’s your opinion of your opponents?
No team at this CHAN is easy to beat. What I can say is that we’ve prepared well, we’re confident, and the players are fully aware of the challenge that awaits them in Tanzania.
Do you believe you have the squad you dreamed of for this competition?
Yes, I believe we’ve made solid selections. These are Burkinabe players who are fully ready to give everything for their country.
This year, CHAN is being held across three host nations. Do you think that changes anything about the competition?
To me, the host countries are close to one another. It’s not much different from previous editions. We’ve seen similar formats in the Africa Cup of Nations before. The only potential challenge might be the varying altitudes, but we’re familiar with the region, and we’re determined to push hard and meet our objectives.
What mistakes must Burkina Faso avoid during this tournament?
We must fight for every moment. We need to rely on ourselves and ensure we get out of the group stage before even thinking about the later rounds.
What does CHAN mean to you and to the Burkina Faso national team?
First and foremost, CHAN is a springboard for the players. For me personally, it’s an incredible opportunity that I must seize to propel my coaching career forward.