Charles Kaboré Offers Strategic Insights for Burkina Faso’s Success in CAN

OUAGADOUGOU – Former captain of the Etalons, Charles Kaboré, in Ivory Coast to support his national team in the African Cup of Nations (CAN), shared his strategic insights for the team’s success in an interview with the AIB.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the Stallions’ performance in the first round of CAN was fundamentally positive, with their primary goal of progressing beyond the group stages successfully achieved. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the result rather than the method of play during this phase.

Kaboré advised against making changes just for the sake of change in the competition. He suggested that increased rigor and concentration are needed across all areas, including defense, midfield, and attack. As the team enters the direct elimination phase, Kaboré noted that the approach to the game is less important than securing a place in the quarter-finals. He stressed the necessity of being daring, yet careful, in this mini-tournament stage.

On the potential of the current Burkina Faso team, Kaboré expressed confidence, emphasizing the team’s strength regardless of the opponent, whether Mali, Senegal, Egypt, or any other team. He reminded that to reach the final, it is necessary to overcome the strongest teams. Reflecting on the past decade, Kaboré highlighted Burkina Faso’s significant achievements, including playing three semi-finals and a final, which he considers remarkable for a country not traditionally known as a football powerhouse.

Comparing the current team to his generation in 2013, Kaboré acknowledged that while generations differ, the current version of Les Etalons possesses great potential and a lot of young talent. He stressed the importance of self-belief and the need for the team to be united and assertive. Kaboré’s advice to the team was clear: to reach the final, they must be prepared to defeat the strongest opponents and fully trust in their own abilities and strengths.