Ivory Coast Take Charge in AFCON Derby

Ivory Coast are flexing their champion’s muscle in Morocco. The holders lead Burkina Faso in this AFCON 2025 Round of 16 clash, and they look ruthless. Diomande struck first. Amad added the second. The Elephants have seized the tempo and the tone of a tense West African derby. This is a statement, and it is loud. ⚽

The game so far

Ivory Coast came out with control, then added bite. The press is organized. The midfield is tidy. They are winning the second balls. When the first big chance fell, Diomande rose to meet it. A strong header, a clean finish, and the champions had a grip on the night.

Amad followed with a cool strike. He found space on the right, shaped his run, and finished with calm. Two chances, two goals. The confidence is clear. The holders are not rushing. They are forcing Burkina Faso to chase, and then punishing the gaps that appear.

Burkina Faso have not backed down. They are brave between the lines. They are trying to get Bertrand Traore on the ball early. They also look for Dango Ouattara’s pace in behind. But service has been limited. Ivory Coast’s back line is reading the runs. The duels in wide areas have tilted orange.

Tactics and rhythm

This is not chaos. It is calculated pressure. Ivory Coast are keeping three tight in midfield. They rotate the first receiver, then punch passes into the half spaces. When they swing the ball wide, the fullbacks surge. That stretch is killing Burkina Faso’s shape.

• Ivory Coast own the middle third, then hit the corners with speed.
• Burkina Faso need faster first passes out of pressure.
• Set pieces matter here. The first goal proved it.
• The next duel at the near post could swing momentum.

Burkina Faso’s plan is sound on paper. Edmond Tapsoba is trying to step and lead the line higher. Issa Kabore wants to drive the right flank. If they can connect the first and second pass under pressure, they will open lanes for switches. One clean break can flip the mood.

Live pictures show nerves starting to creep in for Burkina Faso. Simple touches must be cleaner. The first touch under pressure has to be brave. They have the tools. They need belief and a spark.

A derby with layers

This rivalry is different. It is a football fight and a family story. The border is shared. Languages, music, and markets overlap. Some Burkina Faso internationals were born in Ivory Coast. They grew up on Ivorian streets, learned the game there, and now wear the Stallions shirt with pride. That history adds edge. It also adds respect.

You feel it in the tackles. You hear it in the songs. The stands carry both rhythms. Tonight, it is not only about a bracket. It is about identity, neighbors, and memory. The players know it. The fans feel it. The noise tells you plenty.

What must happen next

For Burkina Faso, the path is clear. Move the ball quicker. Draw fouls in the final third. Trust the big hitters. Traore’s left foot is a threat from range. Kabore can win the endline. A single goal will change the air in the stadium. A brave substitution could help, fresh legs at the nine or on the wing.

For Ivory Coast, control is king. Franck Kessie must keep the tempo low when needed, and high when space appears. Seko Fofana can go long to release pressure. The wide men should keep pinning fullbacks. Do not leave the door open. The champions do not need to chase the third. They need to manage the game.

Player watch

Diomande has been immense. His goal set the tone. His aerial work is as sharp as his positioning. He wins his zone and starts attacks with simple, crisp passes.

Amad is floating into smart pockets. He is timing his runs off the shoulder and finishing with confidence. Every touch looks certain.

Kessie is the adult in midfield. He is the pause button and the accelerator. When he opens his hips, the whole shape breathes.

For Burkina Faso, Tapsoba is trying to marshal a high line and still find forward passes. Traore needs more touches around the box. If he gets them, he will test the keeper. Ouattara remains the outlet. One clean ball could free him into space.

The bottom line

This is the champions’ face. Calm, cold, and clinical. Ivory Coast are halfway to the quarterfinals, and they look built for the grind. But derbies breathe late. Burkina Faso only need one moment to light the fuse. If they find it, this tie erupts. If not, the Elephants march on with another powerful step toward a title defense that feels very real. Live on beIN SPORTS CONNECT, the next chapter is coming fast. 🔥