The reigning champions, Ivory Coast, kept their dream of a second consecutive Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title alive with a commanding 3-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the Round of 16 at the Grand Stade de Marrakech. In a high-stakes West African derby, the “Elephants” demonstrated the clinical efficiency that has made them one of the favourites in AFCON 2025.
From the very first whistle, Ivory Coast controlled the tempo, using their quality in midfield to dominate possession. The breakthrough came in the 19th minute when Manchester United star Amad Diallo found space in the box and fired a precise shot past the Burkinabé goalkeeper. A brief VAR review for a potential foul in the buildup did not affect the goal, which set the tone for the rest of the half.
Burkina Faso, known for their resilience, struggled to break down a disciplined Ivorian defence led by Evan Ndicka. Their best chance came just before halftime when Dango Ouattara rattled the woodwork with a powerful strike, a reminder that the champions’ lead was not entirely secure.
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Onazi Urges Super Eagles to Seize ‘Rare Chance’ at AFCON 2025 Former Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has challenged the Super Eagles to make the most of what he describes as a rare opportunity at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, warning that failure to win the title would be a major disappointment for a squad filled with top-quality players. Nigeria, three-time African champions, have reached the quarter-finals of the tournament in Morocco and will face Algeria on Saturday. The Super Eagles have impressed so far, with strong performances driven by star attackers Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen. Onazi, who was part of Nigeria’s AFCON-winning team in 2013, believes the current squad has the quality and momentum to go all the way. “This generation of Super Eagles need to win the AFCON title for themselves,” Onazi said. “It will be a bit shameful for players of this calibre in the squad to not touch the AFCON trophy.” Nigeria’s attacking strength has been one of the standout features of the tournament. Lookman has been directly involved in several goals through both scoring and assists, while Osimhen has also delivered important goals and leadership up front. Onazi said winning the Africa Cup of Nations can be a defining moment in a footballer’s career and urged the players to remain focused on the task ahead. “When you win the AFCON, it gives you an edge in your career. It is one of the biggest trophies in the world,” he added. “It is good for the players and good for the country.” The former Lazio midfielder also stressed that the Super Eagles must not allow any distractions to derail their campaign, especially at such a crucial stage of the competition. His comments come after Nigeria experienced brief off-field issues earlier in the week, which led to concerns over preparations. Those matters have since been resolved, with the team travelling to Marrakech and resuming full training ahead of the quarter-final clash against Algeria. With renewed focus and confidence, the Super Eagles will be aiming to take another step towards lifting the AFCON trophy and meeting the high expectations placed on them.
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The second half saw the Elephants put the game beyond doubt. In the 54th minute, Yan Diomandé produced a moment of individual brilliance, weaving past Burkina Faso’s defence to double the lead. With a two-goal cushion, coach Emerse Faé’s side managed the game smartly, shutting down any hopes of a comeback. The win was sealed in the 87th minute when Bazoumana Touré scored the third goal.
With this victory, Ivory Coast now advance to the quarter-finals to face Egypt, promising another classic AFCON showdown. For Burkina Faso, the tournament ends with a sense of “what if,” but for Ivory Coast, the dream of a fourth continental star remains alive.
