Defending champs Côte d’Ivoire face gritty neighbors Burkina Faso in AFCON 2025’s final Round of 16 thriller—Tuesday 8pm Nigerian time at Grand Stade Marrakech. Quarter-final glory on the line—who claims West African bragging rights?
First-ever knockout showdown between these border buddies (just 545km apart), but Côte d’Ivoire owns the head-to-head: 8 wins, 9 draws, 3 losses in 20 meetings, including clean-sheet group wins in 2010/2012.
Elephants unbeaten in 7 under young gun Emerse Faé (41), who shocked the world by snatching last year’s title mid-tourney. They topped their group with a wild 3-2 comeback vs Gabon, late scorers supreme (8/9 goals post-half), 90% passing kings, and Amad Diallo eyeing Drogba-level threes. Faé: “Depth and spirit huge—Zaha, step up!”
Never lost a Round of 16 in open play, 10 knockout unbeaten streaks—but no champs advanced past this since Egypt 2010. Pressure’s real.
Burkina Faso? Second in Group E, beats over Eq. Guinea/Sudan, now chasing that first golden star. Coach Brama Traoré rotated smart: Dango Ouattara’s 2 goals, Tapsoba bossing build-up. “Discipline, bravery—no fear of champs,” he vows. They’ve hit this stage 3/3 times, once advancing on pens.
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