Burkina Faso have dismissed head coach Brama Traore and his entire backroom staff following their disappointing exit at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The decision was confirmed by the Burkina Faso Football Federation (FBF), which said the team’s performance fell well short of pre-tournament expectations. The Stallions had set their sights on reaching the semi-finals but were thrashed 3–0 by defending champions Ivory Coast in the round of 16.

“This poor performance has caused deep disappointment among supporters, stakeholders in national football, and governing bodies,” FBF president Oumarou Sawadogo said in a statement.

Traore, 63, was appointed in March 2024, taking over from Frenchman Hubert Velud after Burkina Faso’s last-16 elimination at the 2023 AFCON. His tenure has now come to an abrupt end following a similar outcome.

Mali FA rocked by resignations

Elsewhere in West African football, Mali’s Football Federation (FEMAFOOT) has been thrown into turmoil after 10 members of its 19-man executive committee resigned, triggering a leadership crisis.

The resignations came despite the Malian Eagles reaching the quarter-finals at AFCON 2025 — a result that matched their performance at the previous edition in Côte d’Ivoire.

FEMAFOOT, however, has been quick to dismiss speculation that head coach Tom Saintfiet is also facing the axe.
“[He] has not been dismissed, and no decision has been taken in that regard,” communications officer Ladji Kone told BBC Sport Africa.

FEMAFOOT president Mamatou Toure, popularly known as Bavieux, was not among those who stepped down. Bavieux was re-elected in April 2023 while in detention over alleged corruption charges and was released in April 2025 after spending 622 days in prison.

According to sources close to the federation, the crisis stems from prolonged administrative dysfunction and internal tensions rather than on-field results.

Saintfiet, who took charge of Mali in September 2024, distanced himself from the political turmoil.

“I am in Belgium, I am not following what is happening on the internet,” the 52-year-old said. “I coached Mali to the quarter-final for the second time in a row — that is the only thing I can say.

“What kind of politics is going on, I don’t know.”