Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire secured a place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 with a dominant 3–0 victory over Burkina Faso in Marrakesh on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the win completed the last-eight line-up, following Algeria’s 1–0 extra-time victory over DR Congo earlier in the day.
Côte d’Ivoire controlled the contest from the outset, with Amad Diallo delivering a goal and an assist to lead an impressive performance against the Stallions.
Diallo opened the scoring in the 20th minute, reacting quickest inside the six-yard box to chip the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper.
He doubled his influence 12 minutes later by supplying a low cross that Yan Diomandé finished calmly to make it 2–0.
Burkina Faso came close to pulling one back before the break, but Dango Ouattara’s low effort struck the post and was safely collected.
The Stallions showed greater urgency after halftime, pushing forward in search of a response, but were held at bay by a disciplined and well-organised Ivorian defence.
Any hopes of a comeback were extinguished in the 87th minute when Ousmane Diomandé finished from close range on the counter-attack.
Côte d’Ivoire will now travel to Agadir to face record champions Egypt in a high-profile quarter-final clash on Saturday.
The emphatic win underlined the Elephants’ intent to defend their title as they pursue a second consecutive AFCON crown in Morocco.