Burkina Faso coach Hubert Velud shown the door after Africa Cup of Nations elimination

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FOOTBALL Burkina Faso coach Hubert Velud shown the door after Africa Cup of Nations elimination

Festus Chuma 17:03 - 09.02.2024

Burkina Faso football federation announces non-renewal of coach Velud's contract after Africa Cup of Nations disappointment.

Burkina Faso national team head coach Hubert Velud will not have his contract renewed when it expires next month, the country's football federation said on Friday.

 The decision comes in the wake of Burkina Faso's disappointing exit from the Africa Cup of Nations, where they were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Mali in a 2-1 defeat. 

Velud, 64, had been at the helm since April 2022 but failed to meet the expectations set by the federation.

"It is undeniable that the management of the Stallions observed during this AFCON is out of step with the ambitions of the Executive Committee for Burkinabe football," the federation stated in a press release. 

"Therefore, while expressing gratitude to Coach Hubert Velud and the entire technical management, the Executive Committee has decided not to renew the contract of the national coach and the entire management."

The federation emphasized the need to regroup and refocus on upcoming challenges, including the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and the 2025 AFCON. 

"The Executive Committee is already planning for the immediate tasks, which include the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and the 2025 AFCON. It will promptly establish a competent and resilient technical management team with clear specifications and imperative objectives for success," the statement concluded.

Burkina Faso's exit from the AFCON came after an unfortunate own goal by Edmond Tabsoba and a second-half strike by Lassine Sinayoko sealed their fate against Mali. 

Despite Bertrand Traore's consolation penalty, the Stallions could not overcome the superior midfield quality of their opponents.

Reflecting on the loss, Velud admitted that Mali was the better team on the day. 

“I honestly have no one to blame. We lost against a better side. Mali have good players," he conceded. 

It was a disappointing end for Velud, who had taken over the reins from Kamou Malo after being sacked as Sudan's coach.

Velud's coaching career in Africa has seen him manage various clubs across the continent, including stints at North African clubs Hassania Agadir, ES Setif, USM Alger, and CS Constantine.

 He also had a spell in charge of the Togo national team from 2009 to 2010, during which he faced the harrowing experience of being caught in a machine gun ambush ahead of the 2010 Nations Cup tournament in Angola.

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