AFCON 2025: Diallo, Diomande On Target As Les Éléphants Crush Les Étalons

Ivory Coast’s bid to retain their AFCON title is hitting its stride following a decisive 3-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the round of 16. This win continues a strong run of form for the host nation, who have now secured six victories in their last eight matches.

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Burkina Faso tested the keeper early with a long-range strike from Saïdou Simporé, and nearly took the lead again when a dangerous cross from Cyriaque Irié narrowly missed the reach of striker Lassina Traoré.

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Despite the early pressure, the “Elephants” began to dominate. Amad Diallo and Franck Kessié both threatened the goal before the deadlock was finally broken.

In the 20th minute, Evann Guessand showed superior strength to win the ball from Adamo Nagalo. He found Amad Diallo, who skillfully maneuvered past Edmond Tapsoba to chip the ball over goalkeeper Hervé Koffi for the opening goal.

Following a VAR review that validated Guessand’s initial challenge, Ivory Coast extended their lead. Yan Diomande made amends for a prior miss by clinically converting a pass from Amad, which Franck Kessié had intelligently let run through.

While Guessand later wasted a clear opening to score a third, Burkina Faso’s Dango Ouattara struck the post, serving as a sharp warning to the hosts against overconfidence.

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Facing a significant deficit, Burkina Faso coach Brama Traoré attempted to shift the momentum by replacing the cautioned Nagalo with Blati Touré before the break, followed by the introduction of Georgi Minoungou for the second half.

Despite these changes, the 2021 semi-finalists failed to find a spark, and Ivory Coast nearly scored again when Guéla Doué’s flick from a Diomande free-kick narrowly missed the target.

The victory was finally sealed late in the match when young talent Bazoumana Touré robbed Bertrand Traoré of possession, sprinted the length of the pitch, and finished a brilliant solo effort. This win sets up a highly anticipated quarter-final clash between Emerse Faé’s side and Egypt this Saturday, while Burkina Faso suffers their second consecutive early exit from the tournament.

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