Issoufou Dayo has reversed his decision to retire from international football, returning to the Burkina Faso squad just months after announcing his departure from the national set-up following the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Wydad AC centre-back, 34, had stepped away from international duty in January, but coach Amir Abdou has persuaded him to return for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifying double-header against Mauritania — Matchdays 3 and 4 of Group F.

Three key recalls bolster the Stallions

Dayo is not the only familiar face returning. Josué Tiendrébéogo and Sacha Banse have also been recalled, with Banse coming back after several months sidelined through injury and Tiendrébéogo rejoining the squad after missing the previous international window.

Their returns give Abdou added depth and competition, particularly in midfield, where the squad already includes Ismahila Ouédraogo, Mohamed Zougrana, Lohann Doucet, and Rachid Kouda.

Experience and firepower throughout

The 25-man squad retains a core of established Stallions. Edmond Tapsoba and Nasser Djiga anchor the defence, while Dango Ouattara — one of Burkina Faso's most dangerous attackers — leads a forward line that includes Lassina Traoré, Cyriaque Irié, Georgi Minoungou, Ousséni Bouda, Elohim Kaboré, Aboubacar Camara, and Abdoul Fessal Tapsoba.

Dayo's presence adds senior leadership to that group. The veteran defender has been a cornerstone of Burkina Faso's backline for years, and his return gives Abdou a commanding figure in defence at a critical juncture in the qualifying campaign.

A pivotal moment in the Group F race

Burkina Faso are well positioned in Group F after the opening two rounds, and back-to-back fixtures against Mauritania represent an opportunity to tighten their grip on the group before the final qualifying windows.

The Stallions' ultimate target is a place at the 2027 finals, to be hosted across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. With reinforcements arriving and form to build on, Abdou's side will be eager to convert their current standing into something more concrete.

Full squad

Goalkeepers: Hillel Konaté (ESTAC Troyes, France), Kilian Nikiema (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands), Hervé Koffi (Union Saint-Gilloise, Belgium).

Defenders: Arsène Kouassi (FC Lorient, France), Rachide Gnanou (IF Gnistan, Finland), Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Arthur Zagré (FC Utrecht, Netherlands), Mamoutou Ouédraogo (Sheriff Tiraspol, Moldova), Nasser Djiga (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Issa Kaboré (Wrexham, Wales), Issoufou Dayo (Wydad AC, Morocco).

Midfielders: Ismahila Ouédraogo (Odense, Denmark), Mohamed Zougrana (MC Alger, Algeria), Lohann Doucet (Vitoria Guimaraes, Portugal), Sacha Banse (Greuther Fürth, Germany), Josué Tiendrébéogo (FK IMT Belgrade, Serbia), Rachid Kouda (Mantova 1911, Italy).

Forwards: Dango Ouattara (Brentford, England), Georgi Minoungou (Colorado Rapids, USA), Cyriaque Irié (FC Fribourg, Switzerland), Ousséni Bouda (San Jose Earthquakes, USA), Elohim Kaboré (SK Beveren, Belgium), Lassina Traoré (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine), Aboubacar Camara (FC Salzburg, Austria), Abdoul Fessal Tapsoba (Radomiak Radom, Poland).