Newly Appointed Stallions Coach Kamou Malo Braces for New Challenge

Kamou Malo couldn’t hide his delight at landing the Burkina Faso national team job and admits he is ready for the challenge.

The 56-year-old gaffer was appointed on Monday by the Burkinabe Football Association (FBF) to take over from Paulo Duarte whose contract expires at the end of July.

“I thank Allah for the opportunity and I’m ready to take it on,” Malo told reporters in an interview, as translated from French.

The former Burkina Faso international, who previously coached local side USFA, signed a 15-month contract.

“It’s laying the foundation of the team, otherwise you know we do not build a team in 15 months. It’s not easy to name a local coach,” Malo added.

“You know the football world, there are apprehensions and I think that people have gone into caution and it is up to us to show in this time our ability to build and lead this team. I think that if we meet this challenge, trust will come.”

Malo’s main task will be to lead the 1998 AFCON hosts to the finals of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations after Duarte failed to qualify them for 2019 in Egypt.

Burkina Faso are in Group B of the qualifiers for 2021 edition along with Uganda, Malawi and the winner between South Sudan and Seychelles.