By

Eniola Olatunji 
 

Defending champions Ivory Coast delivered a commanding performance on Tuesday night in Marrakesh, brushing aside Burkina Faso 3–0 to book their place in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

 

The Elephants asserted their dominance early in the Round of 16 encounter, overwhelming the Stallions with pace, skill, and ruthless efficiency in a match that underscored their status as title holders.

 

Manchester United winger Amad Diallo was the standout performer on the night, dazzling the Moroccan crowd with a display of flair and confidence. The 23-year-old opened the scoring in the 20th minute, weaving past several defenders before finishing clinically for his third goal of the tournament. Burkina Faso defenders appeared mesmerized by his footwork, struggling to contain his movement throughout the first half.

 

Just five minutes later, Diallo was again at the heart of the action, embarking on another surging run before laying off a perfectly timed pass to Yan Diomande, who made no mistake in doubling Ivory Coast’s advantage.

 

The rout was completed when midfielder Bazamana Touré embarked on a solo run from the left flank, slicing through the Burkinabè defense before calmly slotting home the third goal. By then, it was clear that the Stallions were second best on the night in what proved to be a difficult and humbling outing.

 

With the emphatic victory, Ivory Coast set up a mouth-watering quarterfinal showdown against seven-time champions Egypt, scheduled for Saturday, January 10, at 8:00 p.m.

 

The Elephants’ progress to the knockout stage followed a solid group campaign in which they won two of their three matches—edging Mozambique 1–0, drawing 1–1 with Cameroon, and defeating Gabon 3–2.

 

Burkina Faso also entered the Round of 16 with two group wins, having beaten Equatorial Guinea 2–1 and Sudan 2–0, though they suffered a narrow 1–0 loss to Algeria.

 

Historically, the West African rivals have met ten times, with Ivory Coast holding the upper hand—five wins to Burkina Faso’s two, alongside three draws. Of the 22 goals scored in those encounters, the Elephants account for 15. At AFCON tournaments, the sides have met twice, with Ivory Coast recording one win and one draw. The heaviest defeat remains the 5–0 thrashing Ivory Coast handed Burkina Faso on September 5, 2009.

 

Ranked 42nd in the world, Ivory Coast are making their 26th AFCON appearance since debuting in 1965. The Elephants have lifted the trophy three times—in 1992, 2015, and 2023—finished runners-up in 2015, claimed bronze medals in 1965, 1968, and 1986, and placed fourth in 1970 and 2008.

 

Burkina Faso, formerly known as Upper Volta and currently ranked 62nd globally, are competing in their 14th AFCON tournament. Although they have never won the title, the Stallions finished as runners-up in 2013, claimed bronze in 2017, and placed fourth on one occasion.

 

As the tournament intensifies, Ivory Coast will now turn their attention to Egypt, knowing that sterner tests lie ahead in their quest to retain the African crown.