Defending champions Ivory Coast continued their impressive title defence at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday night, storming into the quarter-finals with a commanding 3-0 win over Burkina Faso.
The Elephants delivered a dominant all-round performance to underline their credentials as serious contenders for back-to-back continental crowns, comfortably brushing aside the Stallions to book a mouth-watering last-eight showdown against record champions Egypt. The high-profile quarter-final is scheduled to be played on Saturday in Agadir.
Ivory Coast set the tone early with an aggressive, high-tempo approach that left Burkina Faso struggling to settle. Their intent was rewarded in the 20th minute when Amad Diallo broke the deadlock, capitalising on defensive hesitation inside the box before lifting a composed finish over the advancing goalkeeper.
The Manchester United winger remained a constant menace and played a key role in the second goal, supplying a precise low cross that Yan Diomandé converted clinically in the 32nd minute to double the advantage.
Burkina Faso had a brief moment of hope just before half-time, but Dango Ouattara’s effort struck the post, denying them a route back into the contest.
The Stallions showed greater urgency after the interval, pressing higher up the pitch, yet Ivory Coast’s defence stood firm and absorbed the pressure with maturity. Any lingering resistance was finally extinguished late in the match when a swift counter-attack ended with a composed finish to make it 3-0 and seal the victory.
With another assured display, Côte d’Ivoire reaffirmed their status as one of the tournament’s standout sides. Attention now turns to a blockbuster quarter-final against Egypt, a clash that promises to be one of the highlights of the Morocco 2025 AFCON.
Source: CAF AFCON
