Burkinabé club AS Maya return to elite division after 13-year absence

AS Maya have secured promotion to Burkina Faso’s top-flight league after finishing top of Group B in Ligue 2, completing a long-awaited return to the elite division after 13 years.

The club confirmed their promotion on April 15, 2026, following a decisive 3-1 victory over Bobo Sport on matchday 21.

The result not only sealed the three points but also ensured that AS Maya could not be overtaken at the top of the standings, with one round of matches still to play.

Their triumph sees them crowned champions of Group B in the second tier, marking a significant milestone in the club’s recent history.

After 21 matches, AS Maya accumulated 34 points, finishing ahead of their closest challengers, USCO de Banfora, who trail by two points on 32.

The achievement represents a major turnaround for a club that had been outside the top division since their relegation in 2013.

Over the past decade, AS Maya have worked to rebuild and re-establish themselves as a competitive force within Burkinabé football.

Based in Bobo-Dioulasso, the club plays its home matches at the Stade de Bobo-Dioulasso and has developed a reputation for resilience during its time in the lower division.

Their promotion ensures they will compete in Ligue 1 during the 2026/27 season.

The victory against Bobo Sport proved decisive in confirming their status as group winners.

With the pressure of the promotion race intensifying in the closing stages of the campaign, AS Maya delivered when it mattered most, securing a result that effectively ended the contest.

Their return to the top flight highlights the competitive nature of Burkina Faso’s second division, where clubs must navigate a challenging schedule to earn promotion.

AS Maya’s consistency over the course of the season ultimately proved the difference, allowing them to edge ahead of their nearest rivals.

While Group B has already produced a clear winner, attention in Ligue 2 now turns to Group A, where the race for promotion remains unresolved.

Focus Sport and KOZAF are set to battle it out on the final matchday for the remaining promotion spot.

For AS Maya, however, the focus is now on preparing for life back in the top division.

Their return after more than a decade away represents both a reward for sustained effort and a new challenge as they aim to compete among the country’s elite clubs.

The promotion is likely to be celebrated as a defining moment in the club’s history, signalling a successful rebuilding phase and offering supporters renewed optimism ahead of the upcoming season.

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Mubarak Haruna
Mubarak Haruna is an emerging force in African football journalism, recognised for his speed, accuracy and ability to break major stories. He specialises in breaking news, match coverage and multimedia storytelling across radio, television and digital platforms.He holds a degree in Journalism from the Ghana Institute of Journalism and has developed his craft within some of Ghana’s leading media organisations. Mubarak has worked with the Multimedia Group, where he served as a sports radio and television presenter at Joy FM, while also contributing as a writer for Myjoyonline.com.Known for his sharp instincts and ability to deliver timely football stories, Mubarak has gained growing recognition for his impactful reporting and dedication to the profession.He is currently the Deputy Managing Editor of African.Football, where he plays a key role in driving editorial operations, breaking major stories and supporting the platform’s mission to deliver fast, reliable and high-quality African football content to a global audience.

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