Pierre Kabore, the red-hot striker lighting up the Estonian Premium Liiga, has just reached a major career milestone. After netting 12 goals in just 11 league appearances for Narva Trans this season, the 23-year-old has earned his first-ever call-up to the Burkina Faso senior national team for international friendlies in early June.
Kabore, who currently tops the Premium Liiga scoring charts, had previously featured six times for Burkina Faso’s U20 side. Until now, however, the full national team had remained out of reach. That changes this summer: head coach Brama Traore has included Kabore in the squad set to face Tunisia (June 2) and Zimbabwe (June 6).
Burkina Faso, ranked 64th in the FIFA World Rankings and 12th among African nations, has yet to qualify for a World Cup — either under its current name or its former identity, the Republic of Upper Volta. Still, the Stallions boast a proud record in the Africa Cup of Nations, finishing as runners-up in 2013, securing third place in 2017, and placing fourth in both 1998 and 2021.
In the ongoing World Cup qualifying campaign, Burkina Faso currently sits second in its group, just behind favorites Egypt, with six of ten group stage matches played. While only group winners advance directly to the tournament, the four best runners-up across all groups will compete in playoffs for a spot in the intercontinental play-offs — keeping Burkina Faso’s World Cup dream alive.
Kabore’s form for Narva Trans has been nothing short of sensational. He’s delivered hat tricks against both Tartu Tammeka and Pärnu Vaprus, and came within inches of a third consecutive treble against Tallinna Kalev. In that match, his 39th-minute strike looked set to make history — but a slight deflection off teammate Josue Doke led to the goal being credited elsewhere.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/lesetalonsduburkinafaso/?utm_source=ig_embed
