Defending champions faces hungry neighbours as Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso clash in AFCON last 16
Defending champions faces hungry neighbours as Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso clash in AFCON last 16
By Victor Okoye, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire will take on ambitious West African neighbours Burkina Faso when both sides clash in the final Round of 16 match of the ongoing AFCON 2025 at the Grand Stade Marrakech on Tuesday.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. (Nigerian time), with a quarter-final place and regional pride at stake between neighbours separated by a 545-kilometre border.
Despite proximity and history, this is their first AFCON knockout meeting, after group-stage clashes in 2010 and 2012 ended goalless and 2–0 to Côte d’Ivoire.
Those encounters cemented Ivory Coast’s dominance, with the Elephants keeping clean sheets in both previous AFCON meetings against Burkina Faso.
Overall, the teams have met 20 times, with Côte d’Ivoire recording eight wins, nine draws and only three defeats against the Stallions.
Côte d’Ivoire arrive as defending champions, unbeaten in their last seven AFCON matches, winning four and drawing three since Emerse Faé took charge.
Faé, 41, famously replaced Jean-Louis Gasset during the last tournament and guided the Elephants to continental glory on home soil.
“Defending this title is a huge challenge,” Faé said.
“Competition is intense, but our ambition remains unchanged. We want to achieve what we achieved in Côte d’Ivoire.”
Côte d’Ivoire topped their group dramatically, overturning a 2–0 deficit to defeat Gabon 3–2 after wholesale changes to the starting eleven.
“That comeback showed our character,” Faé said.
“The players responded brilliantly, and it confirmed the depth and spirit in this squad.”
Statistically, the Elephants have thrived late, scoring eight of their last nine AFCON goals in the second half, six after the 65th minute.
They lead the tournament with 90 percent passing accuracy, reflecting Faé’s emphasis on control, patience and tactical discipline.
Amad Diallo has scored in both of his starts and could become the first Ivorian since Didier Drogba in 2012 to score three goals in one edition.
Faé expects more from his attacking leaders.
“Amad has been decisive, and we also need Wilfried Zaha to raise his tempo in this phase,” he said.
Côte d’Ivoire have never lost an AFCON Round of 16 match in open play and are unbeaten in their last 10 knockout games within regulation time.
Yet history offers caution, as no defending champion has progressed beyond the Round of 16 since Egypt in 2010.
Burkina Faso arrive determined to rewrite narratives after finishing second in Group E behind Algeria, with wins over Equatorial Guinea and Sudan.
Coach Brama Traoré insists his side are chasing more than participation.
“We are striving for excellence and aiming to place a golden star on our jersey,” he said.
“We are determined to make a difference and achieve positive results in this edition of the Africa Cup of Nations,” Traoré added.
Read Also: AFCON 2025: Cameroon edges S/Africa 2–1 to reach quarter-finals
Burkina Faso have reached the Round of 16 in all three tournaments featuring this stage, progressing once, in 2021, via penalties.
Traoré said preparation outweighed sentiment.
“What matters to us are results. We rotated players earlier to prepare properly for this stage,” he explained.
Dango Ouattara leads Burkina Faso’s attack with two goals, while Edmond Tapsoba anchors their buildup with tournament-leading progressive carries and passes.
“Against champions, discipline and bravery are essential,” Traoré said.
“We respect Côte d’Ivoire, but we believe in our work.”
As kickoff approaches in Marrakech, statistics and history fade, leaving belief, execution and nerve to decide who advances toward AFCON glory. (NANFeatures)
