The Burkina Faso national football team is currently in search of a new coach after deciding not to extend the contract of coach Hubert Velud following their elimination in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
On 30 January, the Stallions suffered a 2-1 defeat to Mali in a tense knockout tie, after finishing second in Group D behind Angola but ahead of 2019 champions Algeria.
Burkina Faso, who were runners-up in 2013, have never won the Nations Cup and reached the semi-finals in 2017 and 2021. However, their recent performance fell short of expectations, leading to the decision not to renew Velud’s contract.
The country’s football federation (FBF) stated that the results did not meet the expectations of the Burkinabe people and emphasized their commitment to ensure better performances in future tournaments.
Frenchman Velud, who signed a two-year contract in April 2022, led the team at the 2023 Nations Cup after previously qualifying for the tournament with Togo and Sudan.
The FBF is already making plans for the 2025 Nations Cup and 2026 World Cup, with the team currently having four points after the first two World Cup qualifiers, trailing behind Group A leaders Egypt by two points.
Vulud’s departure adds to the growing number of coaching changes within African national teams, with a total of eight coaches leaving their positions since the start of the Nations Cup.
