Africa Cup Of Nations | Tuesday January 6 | R16
- Ivory Coast 3-0 Burkina Faso
Ivory Coast ended a long-standing AFCON hoodoo on Tuesday night, becoming the first defending champions to reach the quarter-finals since Egypt in 2010 after a convincing 3–0 win over Burkina Faso in Marrakech.
At the Stade de Marrakech, the holders played with authority and calm, delivering a first-half performance that set the tone and swept away a decade of pressure that has weighed on reigning champions.
The breakthrough came midway through the opening half when Amad Diallo slipped past his markers and gently lifted the ball over Hervé Koffi. A brief VAR check followed, but the goal stood as did Ivory Coast’s control.
Eight minutes later, Amad was involved again, racing down the right and pulling the ball back for Yan Diomande to finish with ease. It was direct, efficient football, and Burkina Faso were left chasing shadows.
Ivory Coast dominated the first half, moving the ball quickly and pinning their opponents back. Burkina Faso’s best moment came when Dango Ouattara struck the post just before the break, but they reached half-time relieved to be only two goals down.
The second half was more testing. Burkina Faso pushed higher, and Ivory Coast lost some rhythm, but the champions stayed composed. Their defence held firm, and goalkeeper Yahia Fofana was alert when called upon.
Any doubt disappeared late on. Nineteen year-old substitute Bazoumana Toure surged forward on the counter, carried the ball from deep and finished confidently to seal the win.
The final whistle confirmed a historic night. Ivory Coast had broken the champions’ curse and booked a quarter-final date with Egypt the last team to defend a title beyond the round of 16 in a fitting showdown on Saturday.
