News Focus
- Edmond Tapsoba signs new long-term deal with Bayer 04 Leverkusen
- New Bayer 04 Media House documentary “Fierté Burkinabè” follows his journey from Ouagadougou to the Bundesliga
- Parents initially clashed over his football ambitions versus education
- Youth coach convinced young Tapsoba to switch from attack to centre-back
- Charity foundation supports vulnerable children, elderly and refugees in Burkina Faso
Bayer 04 Leverkusen has released a special film to honour Edmond Tapsoba’s new contract. The documentary shows the defender’s incredible path from West Africa to the Bundesliga.
The 27-year-old recently travelled back to Ouagadougou. This city is the capital of Burkina Faso. Tapsoba proudly describes it as the best city in the world. He visited his parents’ house during the trip.
His agent, Filipe Macedo Alves, speaks about the player’s character. He says Tapsoba represents the meaning of Burkina Faso: Land of Honest People. Alves explains that the footballer’s family taught him to be humble and welcoming.
The film also shows Tapsoba’s charity work. Sandrine Ouedraogo works for the Foundation Edmond Tapsoba. The group started two years ago. It helps disadvantaged children, older people, the homeless and refugees. The goal is to help these people escape difficult situations.
Tapsoba’s father, Mouni, did not want him to play football at first. He preferred his son to focus on school. However, his mother, Tiemtore Zoenabo, supported the dream. She allowed him to play if he kept good grades.
Yacouba Ouedraogo is president of Salitas FC. This was Tapsoba’s first club at age 15. He remembers visiting the family. “The father refused, but the mother encouraged him,” he says.
Mouni now laughs about those early days. He says Edmond helped with his work but looked sad when football season started. The family later decided to support his passion. “God has shown mercy through his success,” Mouni explains.
Edmond calls his father a typical African dad. He is strict but caring. The defender has earned 60 caps for Burkina Faso. He feels proud to make his father happy.
Coach Drissa trained Tapsoba at King Pitch in Karpala. The young boy wanted to play in attack. Drissa refused but used clever praise to convince him. He made the child become a centre-back. “He worked very hard after training finished,” Drissa recalls. “He never complained or made excuses.”
The coach also helped Tapsoba with weight problems as a child. He used jokes to stop the young player from crying. Tapsoba remains thankful for this support.
Former Burkina Faso star Boureima Maïga also mentored the player. Tapsoba met him at age 12. Maïga provided advice and extra training. The defender still calls him regularly. “He is like family,” Tapsoba says. “I speak to him like a big brother.”
Maïga helped secure a move to Europe. At 18, Tapsoba joined Vitória Guimarães in Portugal. The move was difficult. He spent two months without a telephone. His family could not contact him. His father worried during this silence.
Filipe Macedo Alves discovered Tapsoba through Deco. The Portuguese legend worked as a scout. Alves arranged a meeting that changed the player’s life. Tapsoba still speaks with Deco after every match. The former Barcelona star gives him tactical advice.
The defender spent two years away from home. He did not see his parents or friends. His mental strength carried him through these hard times. Now he has established himself as a key player at Leverkusen. The new contract secures his future at the club.