Defending champions Ivory Coast and Algeria completed the quarter-final line-up at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Tuesday after convincing victories over Burkina Faso and DR Congo, respectively.
Amad Diallo delivered a commanding performance, scoring once and providing an assist as holders Ivory Coast cruised into the last eight with a dominant 3–0 win over Burkina Faso. The Elephants sealed a quarter-final clash with Egypt, with substitute Bazoumana Toure adding gloss to the scoreline in spectacular fashion, bursting from his own half before finishing clinically in the 87th minute.
Diallo set the tone early at Stade de Marrakech, first testing his luck from a free kick before flashing a left-footed effort just wide of the post. The Manchester United forward made his pressure count in the 20th minute, latching onto Evan Guessand’s deflected pass and delicately lifting the ball over Herve Koffi to open the scoring.
Twelve minutes later, Diallo was again at the heart of the action, this time turning provider as he teed up Yan Diomande, who calmly swept home from inside the penalty area to double Ivory Coast’s advantage.
Burkina Faso showed more urgency after the break and came close through Dango Ouattara, but Yahia Fofana reacted sharply to deny the forward from close range. Ivory Coast maintained control and had the final word when Toure dispossessed Bertrand Traore on the edge of Burkina Faso’s box before rifling a near-post finish to cap an emphatic win.
The result marked Ivory Coast’s ninth AFCON quarter-final appearance in the 21st century — the joint-highest tally alongside Nigeria.
Algeria win it late to break Congolese hearts
In the other last-16 encounter, Algeria edged DR Congo 1–0 after extra time, with Adil Boulbina netting a dramatic 119th-minute winner to book a quarter-final showdown with Nigeria.
With penalties looming, Boulbina produced a moment of brilliance, cutting inside Aaron Wan-Bissaka before curling a superb strike into the top-right corner, shattering Congolese hearts.
Algeria dominated possession in the first half with 58.9 per cent of the ball, yet DR Congo carved out the clearer chances. Cedric Bakambu’s persistence almost paid off, forcing Luca Zidane into a fine save, while Axel Tuanzebe narrowly missed the target with a header from the resulting corner.
READ ALSO: Chinga Targets Chipolopolo Recall Through Club Form
