Diallo Inspires Ivory Coast to Quarter-Finals, Sets Up AFCON Showdown with Egypt
The emphatic victory portrayed an uplifting picture for Ivory Coast gearing for a stern test against Egypt, hopeful of further extending its championship.
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo starred as Ivory Coast beat Burkina Faso 3-0 on Monday and became the first Africa Cup of Nations defending champions to reach the quarter-finals since 2010. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Amad Diallo excelled in Ivorian 3 – 0 triumph over Burkina Faso to make it into quarterfinals as the Elephants continue to defend their Africa Cup of Nations title. The clash with Egypt is now further hyped. First time a reigning champion reaches the last eight since Egypt in 2010.
The Manchester United winger was also a point of reference many probably say for every positive twist on-the-field garment made by the Ivorians in the first half. Diallo opened scoring and later turned provider as the champions took strict control of the last-16 contest played in Marrakesh. Late in the game, substitute Bazoumana Toure sealed the result.
Ivory Coast will now head further south, towards the coastal Moroccan city of Agadir on Saturday, where they are scheduled to face record seven-time champions Egypt in a semi-final qualification match bringing together two of Africa’s most successful football nations. The Ivorians’ progress through this tournament is especially remarkable given the historical recent precedent, as it is often the case with the defending champions not going very far into the competition. Seven title holders, since Egypt retained their title in Angola 16 years ago, have subsequently been eliminated before reaching the quarterfinals.
Burkina Faso did not get off well: Nagalo Adamo, a defender, received a yellow card within the first five minutes, taking down Diallo. The early drive was with the Ivorians, who had most of the possessions and kept on holding down pressure. Captain Franck Kessie nearly opened scoring, trying to plant a shot into the top of the net but just failing.
Not so shockingly, it broke through the 20th minute. With speed and strength, Diallo burst through several defenders’ line before blasting away a conclusive shot past goal-keeper Herve Koffi. Burkina Faso protested that a foul was committed in the build-up, but the referee, a Sudanese national, in VAR confirmed his decision: goal stood.
Narrowly after the half-hour, Ivory Coast duly got a second. Diallo, once again, was instrumental: sliding through a precise pass right across the penalty area to 19-year-old Yan Diomande, who showed remarkable maturity by curling a superb finish into the left corner rendered Koffi helpless.
Burkina Faso’s few times it really went get into an attack almost had the final touch when a Dango Ouattara hit base of the post after cutting in from right, but Yahia Fofana was react fast enough to gather the rebound. The Burkinabe was stepped even at better improvement after the break, which had seen many substitutions intended to bring about a change to the tide of the game, but those efforts have not really been enough to penetrate the well-organized Ivorians.
Counter-attacks from Ivory Coast were clear again, and another reward followed in the 87th minute, with Bazoumana Toure bursting from deep within his half and finishing confidently against Koffi, thus claiming his second goal in two matches and putting the result further beyond any doubt.
The emphatic victory portrayed an uplifting picture for Ivory Coast gearing for a stern test against Egypt, hopeful of further extending its championship defense.
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