Aristide Bancé Rules Out National Team Retirement

Burkina Faso international Aristide Bance has ruled out retiring from the Stallions in the coming months insisting he has the energy to continue playing for his country.

The 34-year-old is one of Burkina Faso’s most decorated players and is part of the squad that played in the country’s first-ever Africa Cup of Nations final appearance in 2013.

Burkina Faso failed to qualify for the recently concluded 2019 AFCON which brought about suggestions that the Guinea-based striker must retire from the Stallions to concentrate on his club career.

However, the veteran striker, who has played for over 22 clubs in Europe and Africa, thinks he has the power to continue playing for his country regardless of his age.

“Whatever the age, it is the form at the moment. As long as a player is in shape, national team coaches have to consider him for selection,” said Bance as quoted by French portal, Telecelfaso.bf.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “My age does not worry me. I just signed for Horoya. I am going to put myself at the disposal of my club, to get involved in the championship and the Champions League.”   [/perfectpullquote]

Bance has made 74 appearances for Burkina Faso, including at the 2013, 2015 and 2017 Nations Cups, and has scored 22 goals.

He helped the Stallions to reach the final of the 2013 Nations Cup, including converting his spot-kick as they beat Ghana on penalties in the semi-finals.

They went on to lose to Nigeria in the final to end the tournament as runners-up, their best-ever finish in the history of the Nations Cup.