Burkina Faso head coach Amir Abdou has been forced to revise his squad for the upcoming June international window after injuries ruled out key defender Yacouba Nasser Djiga and goalkeeper Hervé Koffi.
Both players had initially been included in the coach’s selection for the international break, but were later withdrawn after suffering injuries that made them unavailable for duty.
In response, the Burkina Faso Football Federation confirmed adjustments to the squad, with Rachid Gnanou and Farid Sofiane Ouédraogo called up as replacements. The changes were announced in an official statement issued by the FBF.
Gnanou’s inclusion is particularly significant, as it marks his first-ever call-up to the senior national team.
The young defender, who plays his club football for IF Gnistan in Finland, now joins the senior set-up at a crucial stage of preparation for upcoming international fixtures.
The Stallions have already begun assembling in Ouagadougou for a training camp designed to fine-tune preparations for their June friendlies against Russia and Belarus.
The first training session, which focused mainly on physical recovery work, featured only a small group of players.
Among those present were Mohamed Ouédraogo, Edmond Tapsoba, Hanaby Hadalou and Cyrille Dao, with the rest of the squad expected to arrive progressively over the coming days.
Despite the enforced changes, coach Abdou has still been able to rely on a core group of established internationals, alongside a number of emerging talents who continue to be integrated into the senior team setup.
The squad initially announced featured familiar names such as Tapsoba and Dango Ouattara, with the team structure built around a balanced blend of experience and youth.
The defensive unit was expected to be anchored by Djiga, Nagalo and Kouassi, while attacking responsibilities were set to fall to Konaté, Irié and Minoungou.
The latest injuries, however, have forced a reshuffle at short notice as Burkina Faso aim to maintain continuity in their preparations for the June fixtures.
The Stallions will face Russia on June 5 in Volgograd before travelling to Minsk to take on Belarus on June 9.
The matches are expected to provide important opportunities for squad evaluation as the team continues its build-up to future competitive fixtures.
