Ivory Coast will take on Burkina Faso in the round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday evening, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT at the Grand Stade de Marrakech.
While a place in the quarter-finals is on the line, the clash also carries wider symbolic weight between two neighbouring nations linked by history and strong cultural ties.
The match is expected to deliver an intense derby atmosphere, with familiar bonds giving way to a long-standing football rivalry.
The Elephants arrive as defending African champions and head into the tie as favourites after finishing top of Group F. Coach Emerse Fae has been able to rely on a core of experienced players, including midfielder Franck Kessie, alongside the impressive recent form of winger Amad Diallo.
Burkina Faso, however, are regarded as dangerous opponents on the counter-attack. The Stallions will look to the influence of Edmond Tapsoba and captain Bertrand Traore as they aim to upset the holders and push beyond what has often been a psychological barrier against their West African neighbours.
The sides last met in a friendly at the end of 2024, but this time the stakes are far higher in the unforgiving setting of a knockout tie. For Ivory Coast, the challenge is to continue their pursuit of a historic back-to-back AFCON title, while Burkina Faso are determined to halt that bid and write a new chapter of their own.
By: Pascal Amoah
