Elephants out to trample Stallions in West African Derby

Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso will renew their West African rivalry in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16 match at the Marrakesh Stadium in Marrakesh, Morocco, on Tuesday.

Kick-off is at 9:00 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

The Elephants ended their group stage campaign in style as they claimed a 3-2 victory over Gabon on December 31 as they extended their unbeaten run to four matches across all competitions, including three victories.

The win over the Panthers earned Ivory Coast the No 1 spot in the Group F standings with seven points from three games and the defending champions' bid to win a fourth AFCON title is on track, having won the 1992, 2015 and 2023 tournaments.

Burkina Faso, on the other hand, also wrapped a successful group stage campaign with a win as they overcame Sudan 2-0 on December 31 and they were returning to winning ways after Algeria had ended their unbeaten run.

The Stallions advanced to the Round of 16 as Group E runners-up after collecting six points from two matches and they are looking to go all the way, and clinch an elusive title, having finished as runners-up in the 2013 edition.

The winner between Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso will face either Egypt or Benin in the quarterfinals on January 10 at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir, Morocco.

TEAM NEWS

Ivory Coast have no injury issues with Sebastien Haller having withdrawn from the Elephants squad due to an injury last month and the West African giants also do not have suspension worries.

Meanwhile, Burkina Faso have been monitoring their first-choice goalkeeper Herve Koffi after he picked up an injury during the Sudan match, but the Stallions also do not have suspension concerns.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Fae

“It is good for the team and to finish first in the group and continue to play here in Marrakesh on Tuesday against Burkina Faso. We will have a couple of days to rest and recover so we are ready for that game," Fae said.

"I just want to achieve the same thing we achieved in Ivory Coast. It will be difficult because we are not at home, but we are ready for that because this is a goal for the whole country."

Burkina Faso head coach Brama Traore

“We are trying to stand out in the knockout stages. We must continue our work, move forward, and inscribe a golden star on the Burkina Faso national team’s jersey. Our players are determined to make the difference and to achieve good results in this edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations," Traore said.

"What matters to us are the results and the fact that we are representing our country. Before the match, we were already more focused on preparing for the Round of 16. We had to rotate the squad for the match against Sudan, and we decided to rest some players ahead of the next round.”

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso have met 20 times across all competitions since their maiden meeting in November 1984.

The Elephants have dominated this rivalry, winning nine matches, compared to the Stallions' three victories and eight games ended in a draw.

The last meeting between the two West African rivals ended in a 2-0 win in favour of Burkina Faso in the 2024 CHAN qualifier played at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako, Mali, in December 2024.