Burkina Faso has stepped up efforts to professionalise its football coaching ranks, with 100 coaches and fitness trainers completing a high-level training programme led by European experts and backed by the country’s sports minister.
The second session of the Suudu Andal Sport programme brought together participants from several regions of the country for a week of intensive theoretical and practical work aimed at raising the standard of national coaching and, ultimately, the level of the domestic game.
The course was led by former French professional coach Landry Chauvin – who has managed Rennes, Nantes, Sedan and France youth teams – and fellow expert Christophe Manouvier. Sessions alternated between classroom work and on-pitch exercises, with a strong focus on modern training methods and tactical planning.
Participants also held an interactive session with Burkinabe strongman and world log lift champion Iron Biby, who shared his experience at the highest level of elite sport.
Minister hails ‘salvatrice’ initiative
At the closing ceremony, Annick Pikbougoum/Zingue Ouattara, Minister of Sports, Youth and Employment, presided over the official proceedings and described the initiative as “salvatrice”.
In her address, she said: « C’est une deuxieme initiative apres celle qui a ete menee il y a quelques semaines dans le domaine du marketing. C’est en complement de cette dynamique qu’il a apportee en soutien a notre departement dans le domaine de la formation dans son ensemble. Nous exhortons surtout les beneficiaires a en faire bon usage. Il ne faut pas prendre les attestations et les ranger. Il faut que cela se repercute sur le terrain. »
The minister reiterated her department’s commitment to supporting capacity-building actions for sports trainers, stressing that the impact of such programmes must be visible in everyday coaching across the country’s clubs and academies.
‘Recycling’ 100 coaches for a new era
Former Burkina Faso international midfielder Charles Kabore, the driving force behind Suudu Andal Sport, said the session marked an important step in reshaping the technical landscape of Burkinabe football.
In a message of thanks, he said: « Merci a toutes celles et a tous ceux qui ont contribue au succes de cette deuxieme session de formation de Suudu Andal Sport. Cette session a permis le recyclage de 100 coachs et preparateurs physiques, grace a l’expertise de nos formateurs europeens. Cette formation a connu un veritable succes grace au soutien, a l’engagement et a la mobilisation de l’ensemble des acteurs impliques. Je vous exprime ma profonde gratitude pour votre confiance et votre engagement en faveur du developpement du sport burkinabe. Ensemble, nous continuons a batir un avenir plus prometteur pour notre jeunesse a travers le sport. »
The programme is designed not only to train new coaches but also to “recycle” and update the knowledge of those already working in the game, ensuring they are aligned with contemporary tactical and physical preparation standards used in top-level football.
Collaborative approach and practical focus
Chauvin underlined that the European experts came to share, not dictate, ideas.
« On est venus partager nos experiences avec les stagiaires, pas pour leur donner des lecons. On a alterne les seances en salle et sur le terrain. C’etait le moment d’aborder les projets de jeu en lien avec la preparation physique. Il faut aujourd’hui que ces garcons soient entraines par des entraineurs formes et que les infrastructures suivent. C’est ce qui est en train d’etre fait. »
Veronique Yonli, coach of the Burkina Faso women’s under-15 national team, highlighted how concrete and applicable the training was for her daily work.
« On a pu maitriser le travail collectif avec le ballon. On a aussi travaille sur la formulation de l’objectif de la seance. Si l’objectif est flou, les joueurs ne pourront pas vraiment le comprendre ni le mettre en œuvre. »
Building specialist roles in Burkinabe football
For the Burkina Faso Football Federation (FBF), the initiative is also a step towards greater specialisation within coaching teams. Third vice-president Kassoum Traore said: « Ces sessions de formation viennent renforcer le volet recyclage des entraineurs et surtout ouvrir la porte de la specialite des preparateurs physiques envisagee dans la strategie de coaching de la Federation burkinabe de football. »
Mohamadi Bague, assistant coach of the Burkina Faso under-20 national team, stressed the importance of continuous professional development in a rapidly evolving sport.
« Le football est un domaine en perpetuel mouvement, et le fait de se retrouver avec des formateurs de haut niveau pour partager les experiences, nous permet d’apprendre a tous les niveaux. »
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Antoine Ilboudo thanked the trainers and authorities for the quality of the instruction provided.
Part of a wider push to professionalise the game
This second Suudu Andal Sport session is part of a broader drive to professionalise football across Burkina Faso. By strengthening the technical and professional skills of coaches and fitness staff, organisers hope to lift standards in the first and second divisions and feed into the national teams.
Officials and stakeholders view the programme as a key instrument for the future of Burkinabe football – a way to build stronger structures, improve player development and offer better prospects to the country’s youth through sport.
