Burkina Faso: Issa Balboné appointed as U-17 Stallions head coach

The Burkinabè Football Federation has officially announced the appointment of Issa Balboné as head coach of the U-17 Stallions on Saturday, June 27. After a stint as assistant coach with the senior national team alongside Brama Traoré, he now takes the reins of the youth squad.

Issa Balboné faces an immediate challenge: leading Burkina Faso to qualify for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA U-17 World Cup—two tournaments the team missed in the last cycle.

A former player turned coach, Balboné knows the pitch inside out. He has managed several clubs in the Burkinabè league—including UFSA, AS Police, and Canon du Sud—and helped them contend for top spots.

His track record with youth teams is already impressive. As head coach of the U-23 side, he led Burkina Faso to the football final at the 2015 African Games in Brazzaville. Despite falling to Senegal in the final, his squad stunned everyone with their quality of play.

He took the helm of both the U-23 and local national teams in April 2024 and delivered immediately: qualifying Burkina Faso for the 2024 African Nations Championship. After a 2-0 defeat away in Abidjan, he masterminded a remarkable comeback.
The former assistant to Brama Traoré with the senior team now takes charge of a category that has long brought success to Burkina Faso.

Nafongo TRAORE |

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Nafongon Moussa TRAORE, Burkinabè de 25 ans, est passionné de football, est rédacteur pour Foot Africa et commentateur pour BurkiFoot.

Related teams and leagues

Burkina Faso U17

CAF U17 Cup of Nations