Amad Diallo delivered another top performance for Cote d’Ivoire on Tuesday night, scoring to inspire the team to defeat Burkina Faso 3-0 to book their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Elephants will now take on Egypt in the last eight stage, as they march on in their bid to defend their title from the last edition of the tournament.
In Tuesday’s Round 16 encounter played at Stade de Marrakech, Cote d’Ivoire came close to scoring after 15 minutes into the first half, when captain Franck Kessie latched onto a rebound in the box. His effort, however, flew over the crossbar.
Five minutes later, Amad Diallo burst into the Burkina Faso box, evaded a group of defenders, before finding the back of the net with a smart finish to give the defending champions the lead.
With the Ivorians continuing to dominate the game, they double their lead in the 32nd minute. Explosive winger Yan Diomande received a pass and curled the ball in the back of the net after a dummy by Franck Kessie.
Burkina Faso’s only dangerous chance in the first half fell to Dango Ouattara in the 40th minute, but his shot saw the ball go over the bar.
In a second half dominated by Cote d’Ivoire, substitute Bazoumana Toure put the icing on the cake with a superb goal in the 87th minute to make it a 3-0 victory against Burkina Faso.
Following the triumph, Cote d’Ivoire will now face Egypt in the quarter-finals. Star forward Amad Diallo, who now has three goals at the AFCON, will be a key man for the Elephants.
