AFCON 2025 - Amad Diallo Leading Ivory Coast's Charge to the Final
Ivory Coast has emerged as a powerhouse in the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations following a commanding 3-0 victory against Burkina Faso in the Round of 16. They demonstrated resilience and strategic prowess in their games, especially highlighted by their comeback against Gabon. Key players, including Amad Diallo and Franck Kessie, play pivotal roles in the team’s success. With a quarter-final clash against Egypt looming, the defending champions are poised to continue their formidable run towards the finals.
- Ivory Coast beat Burkina Faso 3-0 in the Round of 16
- Amad Diallo is leading the Elephants' charge at AFCON
- A quarter-final against Egypt awaits in Agadir
Ivory Coast have sent a thunderous message to the competition at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Following their 3-0 demolition of Burkina Faso in the Round of 16, the Elephants have shed their slow starter tag and emerged as one of the teams to beat.
The defending champions have proved they can control games when they score first and can survive chaos when the plan collapses, as it briefly did against Gabon.
Path to the Quarter-Finals
Ivory Coast secured a 1-0 victory over Mozambique, Amad Diallo volleying home a cross from Franck Kessie early in the second half.
Cameroon’s threat was snuffed out in a tactical 1-1 draw, Yahia Fofana crucial in goal to ensure a clean sheet.
Down 2-0 to Gabon in the 21st minute, goals from Jean-Philippe Krasso and Evann Guessand set the stage for Bazoumana Toure’s 90+4' winner to top Group F.
The Elephants dominated Burkina Faso in the Round of 16, winning 3-0 in Marrakech where Amad Diallo netted his third goal in the competition.
| Date | Opponent | Stage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 24, 2025 | Mozambique | Group F | 1-0 Win |
| Dec 28, 2025 | Cameroon | Group F | 1-1 Draw |
| Dec 31, 2025 | Gabon | Group F | 3-2 Win |
| Jan 6, 2026 | Burkina Faso | Round of 16 | 3-0 Win |
Key Players
Amad Diallo has emerged as Ivory Coast's most dangerous weapon but Ivory Coast have strength in all areas of the pitch.
Amad Diallo: One of the stars of the tournament, the Manchester United winger has scored three goals. His directness and creativity has filled the void left by aging stars.
Franck Kessie: The "General" in midfield, his leadership and ability to transition play from defense to attack have been the heartbeat of Emerse Fae’s system.
Bazoumana Toure: The 19-year-old has only featured in 37 minutes, coming off the bench to score the winner against Gabon and the sealer against Burkina Faso. He has become Fae’s secret weapon and could be an x factor in a run to the final.
Odilon Kossounou: The Atalanta centre-back has a wealth of experience as a 25-year-old and was one of Bayer Leverkusen's key players in the run to the 2024-25 Bundesliga title. A rock at the back next to Evan Ndicka.
Yahia Fofana: While the attackers grab headlines, Fofana’s three clean sheets in four matches have provided the defensive bedrock necessary for a deep run.
Path to the Final
The bracket has set up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash against Egypt. Senegal are likely semi-final opponents with hosts Morocco and Nigeria favoured to reach the final.
Quarter-Final (Jan 10, 2026): Ivory Coast vs Egypt. Agadir will host a replay of many historic AFCON battles. Egypt struggled past Benin on penalties but Mohamed Salah remains a constant threat.
Semi-Final (Jan 14, 2026): If they progress, the Elephants will face Senegal or Mali in the semi-finals. Senegal are the favourites and would be a significant challenge.
Final (Jan 18, 2026): It's anyone's guess who Ivory Coast would face in the final. Morocco and Nigeria are most likely and would both be hard to beat in Rabat.
AFCON 2025 Winner Odds
Hosts Morocco remain the favourites ahead of Senegal. Nigeria are next best followed by Algeria, Ivory Coast and Egypt.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
|
Morocco
|
3.00 |
|
Senegal
|
4.50 |
|
Nigeria
|
6.00 |
|
Algeria
|
9.00 |
|
Ivory Coast
|
9.00 |
|
Egypt
|
10.00 |
|
Cameroon
|
21.00 |
|
Mali
|
26.00 |
Source: Stake with odds correct on 7 January 2025
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