Ivory Coast to face Egypt in 2025 AFCON quarterfinals match

Ivory Coast Advances to Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals

Ivory Coast defeated Burkina Faso 3-0 in their last 16 match at the Africa Cup of Nations, advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2010. Manchester United winger Amad Diallo scored the opening goal and created the second for Yan Diomande before halftime.

In Marrakesh, Ivory Coast’s substitute Bazoumana Toure completed the scoring in the closing minutes. The team will now face Egypt in the quarterfinals on Saturday in Agadir. This match marks Ivory Coast’s first semifinal appearance since 2010.

Egypt has a record seven titles under its belt and has successfully defended the title once before, in Angola 16 years ago. Since then, seven teams have failed to reach the last eight. Cameroon and Senegal were eliminated after the group stage, while Zambia, Ivory Coast, and Algeria were eliminated earlier in the tournament.

Burkina Faso’s defender Adamo Nagalo was yellow-carded for fouling Diallo early in the match. However, the resulting free-kick missed its mark. Ivory Coast dominated possession throughout the game, with captain Franck Kessie coming close to scoring on several occasions.

Ivory Coast took an early lead on 20 minutes, with Diallo scoring from a powerful shot past goalkeeper Herve Koffi. The team increased their lead on 32 minutes, with Diomande scoring from a pass by Diallo. Burkina Faso came close to halving the deficit in the second half, but Ivory Coast’s goalkeeper Yahia Fofana made several key saves.

In the final minutes of the match, substitute Toure scored his second goal in as many matches, securing Ivory Coast’s 3-0 victory.

Source: Al Jazeera