Burkina Faso head coach Brama Traoré says his side are fully prepared for a major nerve-cracker against holders Ivory Coast when the two West African neighbours meet in the Round of 16 at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Tuesday.
“We know we are going to play against the African champions. We must prepare well. I don’t think the match comes too early, because at this stage of the competition, every team is capable of competing,” Traoré said.
“We came here to reach the final, play it and win it. If that means going through the defending champions, then we must be ready,” he added.
The Stallions head into the knockout tie after finishing second in Group E with six points. They opened their campaign with a 2–1 victory over Equatorial Guinea, and they returned to winning ways with a 2–0 success against Sudan on Matchday Three, but were beaten 2–0 by Algeria in their second group fixture, as Algeria topped the pecking with nine points.
Ivory Coast, meanwhile, progressed as Group F winners with seven points from two wins and a draw. The Elephants defeated Mozambique 1–0 in their opener, drew 1–1 with Cameroon, and came from behind to beat already-eliminated Gabon 3–2.
The winners of Tuesday’s knockout battle will advance to the quarter-finals as the tournament enters its decisive phase.
By: Pascal Amoah
