From Upper Volta to the final: the rise of Les Etalons
In short: Once known as the Upper Volta national team, Burkina Faso has transformed into a formidable force in African football. From their 1960 debut to reaching the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final, the Stallions have built a legacy defined by resilience and a rhythmic, galloping spirit.
The Burkina Faso national football team, affectionately known as Les Etalons or "The Stallions," derives its nickname from the legendary horse of Princess Yennenga. This cultural identity is echoed in the stands, where percussion bands mimic the sounds of galloping horses to support the squad. This identity is celebrated by supporters who are famous for wearing vibrant, colourful clothing during matches.
The team's international journey began on April 13, 1960, with a 5–4 victory over Gabon in Madagascar. Following the country's name change from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso in 1984, the team has seen significant competitive shifts. They first entered the Africa Cup of Nations in 1978, but their most notable period of success began with a string of five consecutive tournament appearances between 1996 and 2004. During the 1998 tournament hosted on home soil, the squad reached the semi-finals under coach Philippe Troussier. They also achieved a notable result in the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, despite failing to progress past the group stage.
The squad reached its competitive peak during the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished as runners-up after losing to Nigeria in the final. They have since maintained a presence among the continent's elite, securing third place in the 2017 tournament and reaching the semi-finals in 2022 after defeating Tunisia 1–0 in the quarterfinals. Despite narrow misses in World Cup qualifying—such as the 2014 campaign where they were eliminated by Algeria on the away goals rule—the Burkinabé Football Federation continues to oversee a team with a storied history of growth. In their 2022 semi-final appearance, they were eventually defeated by Senegal. Their 2017 campaign concluded with a third-place finish following a penalty shootout against Cameroon.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Burkina Faso national football team
- Also: Wikidata — Burkina Faso men's national football team · CC0
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