They hope to repeat the exploit of 2013 in South Africa when they attained the finals.
Burkina Faso will be going to Equatorial Guinea for the 2015 AFCON with a firm determination to repeat their impressive performance during the 2013 edition of the tournament in which they enjoyed a five-match unbeaten run at the Mbombela Stadium before losing the final to Nigeria in Johannesburg. This performance changed the status of the Stallions from underdogs to heavyweights, a status which they would want to maintain or improve upon in Equatorial Guinea.
Since South Africa brought them luck, Burkina Faso‘s preparation camp for the 2015 AFCON finals is taking place in Nelspruit, South Africa where the Stallions enjoyed a great deal of success during the 2013 AFCON. “This town brought us a lot of happiness and made us feel very welcome in 2013. It is important that the players feel comfortable during their preparation,” said the Burkina coach Paul Putt.
Burkina Faso made their AFCON debut in 1978, as Upper Volta, and were knocked out in the first round. Their next appearance at the competition would only come 18 years later at the 1996 event, where the Stallions once again fell at the first round hurdle. One of the Stallions' best showing at an AFCON tournament came two years later when they managed to claim fourth place. They finished as runners-up in Group A and went on to beat Tunisia via penalties in the quarter-finals before losing 2-0 to Egypt in the semi-finals. At the 2000, 2002 and 2004 events, Burkina Faso failed to progress past the group stage of the tournament and went on to miss out on the next two instalments. However their best performance was to come in 2013 when the Stallions attained the final of the continental football jamboree.
Burkina Faso will be competing in Group A of the 2015 Orange Africa Cup of Nations alongside, Congo, Gabon, and hosts Equatorial Guinea. Judging from their performance during the last edition of the tournament, Burkina Faso‘s Stallions who were 2013 AFCON runners-up are this Group’s favourites alongside Gabon. However, the elements of playing at home and fans’ support could be in favour of the hosts Equatorial Guinea. All the Group matches will be held at the Bata Stadium.
