Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a convincing 3–0 victory over Burkina Faso in their Round of 16 encounter at the Stade Grand Marrakech on a chilly Tuesday night, on January 6, 2026.
Goals from Manchester United’s Amad Diallo, Yan Diomande, and second-half substitute Bazoumana Touré sealed a well-deserved win for the Elephants in front of 24,019 spectators.
Diallo opened the scoring in the 20th minute, dancing down the right flank before lifting a delicate chip over the advancing goalkeeper Hervé Koffi.
RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande doubled the advantage on the half-hour mark, finishing calmly after a well-weighted pass from Diallo to give Côte d’Ivoire a 2–0 lead at halftime.
Burkina Faso’s best chance of the first half fell to Brentford’s Dango Ouattara, whose shot from a tight angle struck the base of the post before goalkeeper Yahia Fofana gathered the rebound.
The Stallions were forced into a first-half substitution in the 43rd minute as Adamo Nagalo made way for Ibrahim Touré.
Burkina Faso began the second half brightly, introducing Georgi Minoungou for Lassina Traoré, but Côte d’Ivoire’s organised defence held firm.
Diallo saw a free kick comfortably saved on the hour mark, while Ivorian duo Christ Inao Oulaï and Ibrahim Sangaré received yellow cards in quick succession.
Côte d’Ivoire continued to press, with Touré firing a free kick into the wall in the 67th minute, while Diallo was later denied in a one-on-one by Koffi.
Substitute Bazoumana Touré put the result beyond doubt, capping off a fine solo run down the left flank with a composed finish to make it 3–0.
Côte d’Ivoire will now face Egypt in the quarter-finals on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
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Story by Xavier Mensah | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Erica Odeenyin Odoom
