AFCON Holders, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso are set to face off in a high-stakes Round of 16 clash at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Tuesday in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.
This West African derby, rich in history and intensity, will see the defending champions, Côte d’Ivoire, defend their title against an ambitious Burkina Faso side determined to extend their stay in Morocco.
Les Stallions arrive in Marrakech with clear objectives, unafraid to challenge the reigning champions. Head coach Brama Traoré emphasized the team’s ambition ahead of the match, saying they are ready to compete against the African champions. Defender Arsène Kouassi added that the squad remains calm and confident, with a winning mentality vital for taking on a strong Ivorian side.
The Elephants, having won two and drawn one of their group stage matches, will leverage their experience and familiarity with Marrakech, where they have played all their group games. Coach Emerse Faé stressed the importance of focusing on the present rather than relying on past records, while forward Jean-Philippe Krasso highlighted the team’s unity, noting that success comes from the collective effort of the entire squad.
Burkina Faso coach Brama Traoré said: “We came here to reach the final, play it and win it. If that means going through the defending champions, then we must be ready.” Côte d’Ivoire’s Faé added: “When the match starts, there is no psychological advantage, no statistics and no past. We have to play our football, without unnecessary pressure, and give everything to achieve our objective.”
The two nations have met 20 times in all competitions, with Côte d’Ivoire winning eight, Burkina Faso three, and nine ending in draws. This will mark their third AFCON meeting, following group stage encounters in 2010 and 2012. The countries share a 545-kilometre border, highlighting their close geographical and regional ties.
Under the lights of Marrakech, one nation will continue its AFCON 2025 journey, while the other will see its campaign end.
