The Africa Cup of Nations knockout rounds have always been a cauldron of drama, and today’s clash between Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso at Marrakesh Stadium is already living up to the billing. With the sun beating down on January 6, 2026, these two West African powerhouses are battling for a coveted spot in the quarterfinals, and after a pulsating first half, it’s Ivory Coast who holds a commanding 2-0 lead over the Stallions of Burkina Faso.
Heading into this Round of 16 showdown, both teams had plenty to boast about from the group stages. Ivory Coast, the defending AFCON champions and a perennial force in African football, topped Group F with seven points, notching two wins and a draw. Their path wasn’t a cakewalk—group rivals included a resurgent Cameroon, a dangerous Gabon side, and the ever-determined Mozambique. Yet, the Elephants showed their mettle, coming back from two goals down to claim a dramatic victory over Gabon and holding Cameroon to a draw in their final group game on December 31, 2025.
Burkina Faso, meanwhile, proved their own credentials in Group E, also finishing with seven points from two wins and a draw. Their campaign featured a solid 2-0 win over Sudan and a hard-fought victory against Equatorial Guinea, with their only blemish a narrow 1-0 loss to World Cup-bound Algeria. Despite that setback, the Stallions entered the knockout rounds with confidence and a reputation for being one of the continent’s most stubborn and well-rounded teams.
As the match kicked off at 2:00 p.m. ET (8:00 p.m. local), the stakes couldn’t have been higher. The winner would edge closer to AFCON glory, while the loser would be packing for home. The pre-match odds from DraftKings Sportsbook had Ivory Coast as the -115 favorite to win, with -255 odds to advance, while Burkina Faso stood as a +390 underdog (+195 to advance). There was even a +230 chance that extra time would be needed—a testament to just how evenly matched these sides were on paper.
But football isn’t played on paper, and from the opening whistle, Ivory Coast made their intentions clear. Lining up in a 4-3-3 formation under manager Emerse Faé, the Elephants fielded a starting eleven brimming with talent and experience. Yahia Fofana took his place between the sticks, shielded by a back four of Doué, Kossounou, Ndicka, and Konan. In midfield, captain Franck Kessie marshaled the troops alongside Sangaré and Inao Oulaï, while the forward trio of Diallo, Guessand, and Yan Diomande provided pace and guile up front.
Burkina Faso, managed by Brama Traoré, countered with a defensive-minded 5-4-1 setup. Hervé Koffi was the last line of defense, with Yago, Dayo (who wore the captain’s armband), Tapsoba, Nagalo, and Kouassi forming a resolute back five. The midfield quartet of Ouattara, Simporé, Ismahila Ouédraogo, and Irié looked to break up play and launch quick counters, hoping to supply lone striker Lassina Traoré with enough service to trouble the Ivorian defense.
From the outset, Ivory Coast seized control of possession, dictating the tempo and probing for weaknesses in the Stallions’ defensive wall. By halftime, the Elephants had enjoyed a whopping 66.1% of the ball, firing off 13 shots—two of which were on target—while Burkina Faso managed just two attempts in response. The Ivorian midfield trio orchestrated play with surgical precision, stringing together 315 passes at an impressive 92.1% accuracy rate. Their dominance in the final third was evident, with 22 touches inside the opposition box compared to just three for Burkina Faso.
It wasn’t just about pretty passing, though. Ivory Coast’s defense, anchored by top-league regulars like Ndicka and Kossounou, lived up to its billing as one of the continent’s stingiest. Yahia Fofana, who had saved four of five shots on target in the group stage, was rarely troubled in the first 45 minutes, making just one save to keep the Stallions at bay. The Elephants’ ability to transition from defense to attack was also on display, with fullbacks Doué and Konan surging forward to support the attack.
Burkina Faso, for their part, struggled to find their rhythm. Their shot accuracy—just 25% coming into the match, one of the lowest among AFCON’s remaining teams—continued to haunt them. Dango Ouattara and Bertrand Traoré, both Premier League standouts, found it difficult to break through Ivory Coast’s disciplined lines. Defensively, however, the Stallions remained resolute, winning 85.7% of their tackles and making 13 clearances to keep the scoreline from ballooning further.
The first half was not without drama. Burkina Faso’s defender Nagalo picked up a yellow card just five minutes in, and was substituted for B. Touré at the 42-minute mark—a move that underscored the physical and tactical intensity of the contest. Ivory Coast, meanwhile, kept their discipline, avoiding bookings and committing just eight fouls to Burkina Faso’s nine. Set pieces were few and far between, with the Elephants earning three corners to the Stallions’ one.
Looking at the benches, both managers had plenty of firepower in reserve. Ivory Coast could call upon attacking talents like Wilfried Zaha and Jean-Philippe Krasso, while Burkina Faso had the likes of Bertrand Traoré and Issa Kaboré ready to make an impact if called upon. The tactical chess match between Emerse Faé and Brama Traoré was clearly far from over.
Historically, the head-to-head record favored the Elephants, with six wins, three draws, and just two losses to Burkina Faso in their last eleven meetings. Their most recent encounters saw Ivory Coast claim a 2-0 victory in December 2024, but Burkina Faso had also tasted success with a 2-0 win in the African Nations Championship qualification that same year. The rivalry, it seems, is as balanced as ever.
As the teams head into the second half, all eyes are on whether Ivory Coast can maintain their lead and book a place in the quarterfinals, or if Burkina Faso can muster a comeback for the ages. With both sides boasting resilient defenses and match-winners on the pitch, the next 45 minutes promise to be a thrilling ride for fans across the globe.
For viewers in the United States, the action is being broadcast on beIN SPORTS and Fanatiz USA, while fans in Canada can tune in via beIN SPORTS Canada and fuboTV. UK supporters are catching every moment on 4seven. The world is watching as these two giants of African football battle for supremacy in Marrakesh.
The match is still unfolding, and with so much talent on display, anything can happen before the final whistle. Will Ivory Coast’s experience and composure see them through, or can Burkina Faso defy the odds and mount a spirited fightback? Stay tuned—this AFCON thriller is far from decided.
