Manchester United winger, Amad Diallo, inspired defending champions, Ivory Coast, to a beautiful 3-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the Round of 16 match of the Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) 2025 on Tuesday 6 January, 2026 at Stade de Marrakech.
This result means Ivory Coast, who discomfited Nigeria in the final 2-1 to win the AFCON 2023, will now face seven-time winners, Egypt, in the quarter finals on Saturday 10 January, 2026 at 20:00 (WAT).
Amad opened scoring for the Elephants in the 20th minute after manoeuvring through a couple of defenders and finished past goalkeeper Herve Koffi from close range.
In the 32nd minute, Amad provided for Yan Diomande, who made it two with a curled finished past Koffi from just inside the area.
The Stallions came close to pulling one back through Dango Ouattara before the end of the first half, but, his right-footed effort rebounded into the arms of Ivorian keeper Yahia Fofana.
Once again, Fofana made a save with his right foot to deny Ouattara, who fields for Premier League side, Brentford, just after the hour mark, while Amad, who played for Atalanta from 2019 to 2021 before moving to Old Trafford, was denied his second by a fine save by Koffi.
And, very late in the showdown, in the 87th minute, teenager Bazoumana Toure, netted the third and sealed victory for Ivory Coast.
Toure charged forward from midway inside his own half and beating Koffi inside the left-hand upright with a stunning finish.
Stallions head coach Brama Traore made several changes in his quest to find his way back into the game, including throwing on captain Bertrand Traore, but Ouattara’s low effort was as close as the West African side came to pulling a goal back.
Manager Emerse Fae’s side will now face Egypt, who reached the quarter finals of the tournament after beating The Cheetahs of Benin, 3-1 after extra time on Monday 5 January, 2025.
It will be a heavyweight showdown between Ivory Coast and Egypt in the city of Agadir.
Amad, for his amazing performance for Ivory Coast, once against emerged Man Of The Match. The Manchester United player now has three (3) goals in the AFCON 2025.
On Amad, CAF posted on X: “Finisher by design. Amad Diallo. Three goals already for Côte d’Ivoire at the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 “
Photo: Amad of Ivory Coast takes a shot with his Man Of The Match award after the match against Burkina Faso | X/CAF
