Why Bertrand Traore Will Not Play Against Bright Stars

Lyon star Bertrand Traore will not play for Burkina Faso against South Sudan on Sunday in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying because of a thigh injury.

The 24-year-old forward was hurt against Olympic Marseille last weekend and despite attending training sessions with the Stallions, is suffering from a slight discomfort in his left leg.

Burkina Faso media reported that after Traore travelled with the team from Ouagadougou to Khartoum, the national squad medical staff ruled him out of the Group B clash.

Coach Kamou Malo has initially included Traore in his squad for the match after missing the Wednesday’s goalless draw against Uganda, but he aggravated the problem.

In his place, Malo is expected again to start Jong Ajax forward Frank Lassina who had been previously overlooked despite also doing well for his Dutch club.

Traore will be a great miss for Malo especially coming at a time when he had picked up brilliant form scoring three goals in the last five games for Lyon and slowly becoming a cult hero for the Los Gones.

The forward scored in the 1-0 win over Mauritania in a friendly and has been the player that Burkina Faso always relies heavily for goals.