Border rivals collide, defending champs Côte d’Ivoire tackle ambitious Burkina Faso in AFCON 2025’s final Round of 16 Tuesday, 8pm Nigerian time at Marrakech’s Grand Stade. Quarters and pride on the line, 545km apart but first-ever knockout clash.
Elephants dominate history: 8 wins, 9 draws, 3 losses in 20 meetings; clean sheets in 2010/2012 group ties. Unbeaten in 7 under 41yo wondercoach Emerse Faé, who snatched last title mid-tourney. Epic 3-2 Gabon comeback topped group late scorers (8/9 goals second half), 90% pass kings. Amad Diallo’s two strikes eye Drogba’s 3-goal mark; Zaha urged to ignite. No Round 16 open-play loss ever, 10 knockout unbeaten but champs stuck here since Egypt 2010. Faé: “Huge challenge, but we chase glory again.”
Burkina? Group E runners-up to Algeria, beats Eq. Guinea/Sudan. Coach Brama Traoré dreams golden star: “Excellence, results rotated for this.” Dango Ouattara’s brace leads attack, Tapsoba owns progressive plays. 3/3 Round 16 appearances (2021 pens advance). “Discipline vs champs we believe,” Traoré vows.
Stats fade—nerve decides Marrakech magic.
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