Ouagadougou: AS Douanes defender and captain Hadalou Hanaby Sagn¨ stands out as the only local player included in the 25-member Stallions squad called up by coach Amir Abdou for matches against Russia and Belarus during the FIFA window.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the decision to include Gabelous' full-back, Hadalou Sagn¨, in the Stallions squad was influenced by his performance at the recent African Nations Championship (CHAN) held from August 2nd to 30th, 2025. The Stallions' staff reviewed videos of his performances, and Burkinabe Jonathan Zongo, the assistant to the Comorian coach Amir Abdou, closely monitored numerous matches in the national league where Sagn¨ plays.
Besides Hanaby Sagn¨, Artur Zagre and Aboubacar Bassinga are also celebrating their first selections for the Stallions A team. Coach Amir Abdou's list also marks the return of goalkeeper Hilel Konate from Troyes (France), Cyrille Dao from National Bank club (Egypt), and Abdoul Tapsoba.
The squad is missing several key players due to injuries, including captain Bertrand Traore, who is recovering and might play in the final Premier League match with his club Sunderland, Issa Kabore, and Rachid Kouda. Vice-captain and goalkeeper Herve Koffi, who was called up, will undergo fitness tests as well, explained Amir Abdou.
Franck Lassina Traore's absence from the squad is due to an administrative issue. Amir Abdou noted that Traore's Ukrainian passport presents a problem for entering Russia, despite the player having a successful season with Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Stallions will gather in Ouagadougou starting tomorrow (May 20-26) with players whose league season has concluded. The team is set to depart the Burkinabe capital on May 28 for Moscow, Russia, where the remaining players will join them. In Moscow, the Stallions will engage in a friendly match with a first-division club to prepare for their encounter with the Russian national team on June 5.
Following the match in Russia, Amir Abdou and his team will head to Minsk, Belarus, to face the national team there on June 9.