In this exclusive with CAFOnline, he talks about his excitement at growth, past glory and legacy.

You started your career at a local club, Majestic FC, how is it like playing in the Burkinabè league?

In the beginning it was not easy but, I had some big brothers who helped me and advised me a lot to make things go easy for me. And, everything went well when I started my first game and got my first goal. 

Just 5 years ago, you were playing in Burkina and now you are a mainstay for Premier League side, AFC Bournemouth. How proud are you of your development?

I am proud of what I have done and achieved already, and to play in the Premier League is something amazing, and I am trying to improve on certain things and keep my development. 

Does the progress and development excite you?

I am proud of myself and what I have achieved, and how my family are so proud of me. The beginning at AFC Bournemouth was not easy for me, I got some difficulties but after I got into the first eleven, everything started going well in the club and national team, so I’m so proud of what I have achieved. 

Your second AFCON at age 21. What did you learn in the first one?

I learnt that there is no small team in Africa, and also to achieve something in the Africa Cup of Nations, you need to play as a team and not as an individual and also take every game seriously. 

You scored in the Quarter Finals in 2021. How was the feeling like?

When we play as a group, every individual come out alone and everyone was proud of me because I helped the team win and the team helped me achieve my personal goal. The goal was a teamwork. 

How ready are you with the team?

Personally, I am feeling well because I use to play a lot of games before coming here, I am physically ready and will take the role the coach will give me and whatever he will ask me to do. 

What makes this team so special?

It is our mentality and the way we are living like a group, and family and that is what makes our team very special. 

After this tournament, what do you want people to remember you for?

That I will be part of the first team to bring AFCON to Burkina Faso. 

How well do you need the motivation from your fans?

The fans play a big impact on every competition and also, we are not far from our country, so, it’s like we are playing at home and the fans will give us motivation to be able to go. 

Are you fit enough after the knock?

At the moment, I’m not training with the group but I’m physically okay, we have to decide with the medical staff to see what is going on.