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Burkina Faso team at the opening match CAN 2021. Photo by Happiraphael on

10 Best Football (Soccer) Players from Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso, one of the renowned countries in Africa is known for their talented people in various ways. Several soccer players have been brought up from Burkina Faso. These players have plied their talents in Europe and other countries abroad which makes their motherland proud.

The Burkinabe players are well-built, athletic, strong and have the skills plus talent to shine on any football pitch. Burkina Faso first entered the World Cup in the 1978 qualifying tournament.  However, they have never qualified for another World Cup which they hope to make an entry in 2026.

Let’s take a look at the 10 Best Football Players from Burkina Faso:

1. Djakaridha Kone

Born on 22nd July 1986, Djakaridja Kone is a Burkinabe former professional football player who used to play as a defensive midfielder. He began his career in Israel with Hapoel Petah Tikva as he made his senior debuts in the 2005-06 campaign.

After gaining more first-team experience, Kone became a regular for the clubs he played for in Romania, France and other countries. Kone retired after the 2015-16 season after 247 appearances in which he scored nine goals.

2. Abdou Razack Traore

Ivory Coast-born Burkinabé football player Abdou Razack Traoré. Photo by Roger Gorączniak on

Traore is an Ivorian-born Burkinabe professional football player who currently plays for the Chinese club Nantong Zhiyun. He was born on 28th December 1988 in Abdijan, Ivory Coast but his family emigrated to Burkina Faso.

Traore began his career at Raja Casablanca before moving to Rosenberg where he developed into a quality player. In August 2007, it was reported that Traore was robbed and beaten up while on vacation at a beach in Ivory Coast.

Later that year, he was featured on the World Soccer list of the 50 most exciting teenagers in World football. Traore has played for several clubs in Norway and Turkey getting more than one hundred appearances and scoring more than fifty goals.

3. Aristide Bancé

Aristide is a former Burkinabe professional footballer who played as a striker. His career was so good with the contribution he made to his teams. Aristide’s European career started in Lokeren where he scored 27 goals in 87 Jupiler Pro League games.

He later spent one season in Ukraine before he moved to the German club Mainz 05. Aristide was a key player for Mainz 05 as he scored several goals for fun.

During his first season at Mainz, he helped the club get promoted to the Bundesliga by scoring 14 league goals. He also scored in the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal competition in which he had four goals in total.

Under German manager Thomas Tuchel, Aristide helped Mainz stay in the German top tier by scoring 10 goals. He also made 79 appearances for the Burkina Faso national team and scored 24 goals.

4. Jonathan Pitroipa

Jonathan Pitroipa. Photo by Supporterhéninois on

Beninwende Yann Jonathan Pitroipa is a former professional footballer who played as a winger. Jonathan was known for his versatility and skilful way of playing football that he used to help his team.

He made his debut for Burkina Faso in 2006 and went ahead to feature in 2010, 2012 and 2013 editions of the African Cup of Nations. Jonathan scored two goals in the 2013 tournament and assisted his country get to the finals.

He was chosen as the Player of the Tournament. His club career was amazing as he made 375 total appearances scoring sixty goals in total.

5. Abdul Diallo

Abdul Diallo is a Burkinabe former professional footballer who used to play as a striker. Diallo began his career in Europe at the age of 20 in 2005 as he signed a professional contract with Panthrakikos football club.

He had remarkable performances which attracted several suitors but he decided to remain at his club. Diallo went ahead and participated in Beta Ethniki, Super League Greece and Cypriot First Division. However, his career statistics were not as impressive as many had hoped to be.

6. Edmond Tapsoba

Born on 2nd February 1999, Edmond Tapsoba is a professional soccer player who plays for the German club Bayer 04 Leverkusen as a centre-back. He grew up in Karpala where he used to play street football.

Edmond had the chance to play organised football at the age of 14 as he used to skip class to play. His professional career has been amazing as he joined the German side in 2020 and has a release clause amounting to €92,200,000.

Edmond is highly rated by FIFA as a top young defender who plays attractive football. He has 28 caps with the Burkina Faso national team.

7. Bertrand Traore

Bertrand Traoré. Photo by Светлана Бекетова on

Another great Burkinabe footballer is Bertrand Traore. He is a professional player who has played for several European clubs as an attacking midfielder or as a right winger and right midfielder.

His youth career started at Auxerre and later Chelsea where he never had a chance to prove himself on the senior side as he made ten appearances. Bertrand is well known for his versatility in attack and the strong shot using his left leg. He plays for English Premier League club Aston Villa which has loaned him out to Turkish side Istanbul.

8. Herve Koffi

Born on 16th October 1996, Herve Koffi is a Burkinabe professional footballer playing as a goalkeeper for the Belgian club Sporting de Charleroi. He is a talented player who has a FIFA rating of 73 which might soon rise.

His rise to top football has been immense with his commitment and hard work. Herve Koffi is best known for his reflexes, diving, commanding his back line and helping his side not concede several goals.

9. Lassina Traore

Lassina Traoré with ajax in 2021. Photo by EMUL96 on

The 21 years old forward is another amazing player from Burkina Faso. He currently plays for the Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk after moving in 2021.

Lassina began his football career in the Netherlands with Jong Ajax where he played for two seasons scoring 23 goals before moving to Ajax. At Ajax football club, he played in 22 matches and scored 9 goals before moving to Ukraine.

He has 17 caps for his country with 7 goals. Lassina Traore is rated at 72 by FIFA.

10. Bryan Dabo

Bryan Dabo. Photo by 34 Super Hero on

The 30 years old professional soccer player plays as a centre-defensive midfielder and as a centre-back for Aris. Bryan who has a huge physique and is known for his alertness and perfect defensive skills is one to watch especially during top games.

He has over one hundred senior appearances in his football career. Bryan Dabo has played for teams in France, Italy, and Turkey and is currently in Greece.