Burkina Faso star defender Edmond Tapsoba will not be available for the Stallion's important 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in March.
Local media reports that a thigh injury will keep the Bayer Leverkusen player out as Burkina Faso prepare for Group A clashes with Djibouti and Guinea-Bissau. The Stallions host Djibouti in Morocco on March 24 before traveling to Bissau to face the Djurtus three days later.
The West African nation, considered favorites to finish as runners-up in the group behind current group leaders Egypt, are in need of points. Due to the lack of a home venue approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Burkina Faso has hosted all their home fixtures abroad with two games ending in draws against the teams they are battling with for second place, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone.
Group A Table (through 4 matches)
Points | |
Egypt | 10 |
Guinea-Bissau | 6 |
Burkina Faso | 5 |
Sierra Leone | 5 |
Ethiopia | 3 |
Djibouti | 0 |
The group winner qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Four of the nine group runners-up qualify for a playoff to determine Africa's representative at the intercontinental qualifying playoff.
Losing points in their "home" matches against Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone earlier in the campaign have created an uphill battle for the Stallions to find success in the ongoing campaign with results now needed away from home. Additionally, injuries to important players have tested the depth of the team who have enjoyed recent success in African football but lack depth in the squad compared to the top national teams in Africa.
While the attack looks formidable for the Stallions with wide playmakers Bertrand Traoré and Dango Ouattara available as well as strikers Lassina Traoré and Mohammed Konaté all available, the unavailability of team leader Tapsoba is troubling. However, rising star Nasser Djiga of Wolverhampton Wanders is an excellent option to partner team captain Issoufou Dayo in the center of defense.
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