Guy Arsène Kouassi Kan of Burkina Faso during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON match between Algeria and Burkina Faso at Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco on 28 December 2025 ©Samuel ShivambuBackpagePix
Tuesday Jan 06, 2026. 13:00
In promotional campaigns and adverts for the tournament, broadcaster and rights-holder SuperSport has marketed the 2025 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations as “Where the family meets.” That slogan will hit close to home on Tuesday as Côte d’Ivoire face Burkina Faso in the round of 16, with eight players in the Burkina Faso squad having been born in Côte d’Ivoire.
The neighbouring nations have met on 20 previous occasions, with the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire taking the advantage with eight wins to Burkina Faso’s three and nine games drawn.
Of Burkina Faso’s 25-man squad for the tournament, Arsène Kouassi, Stéphane Aziz Ki, Adamo Nagalo, Blati Touré, Georgi Minoungou, Cyriaque Irié, Mohamed Zougrana and Mohamed Konaté are all Ivorian-born.
Kouassi, Minoungou and Irié each featured in all three of the Stallions’ group games, while Touré and Aziz Ki have made two appearances and Nagalo and Zougrana have each earned one off the bench. Konaté has not been on their bench for any of the Stallions’ fixtures at the tournament.
There is no doubt that these players will be looking to make an impact against the country of their birth.
On the Ivorian side, goalkeeper Alban Lafont was born in Burkina Faso.
He played in the Elephants’ final group game where he failed to produce his best performance in a narrow 3-2 win over Gabon.
Having been born in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, the goalkeeper was eligible to represent either France, Burkina Faso or Côte d’Ivoire but opted for the Elephants.
After his disappointing performance, he was accused by irate fans on social media of letting goal in on purpose to accuse the Elephants to finish second in their group and avoid Burkina Faso in the round of 16.
Both teams claimed two wins in their group stage campaigns, but the Elephants secured a draw in their second game while the Stallions fell in a 1-0 loss to Algeria.
Burkina Faso will be looking to test its metal against the reigning champions in another regional derby at the continental showpiece.
Players, as well as their respective teams, will be aiming to claim bragging rights in this knockout stage family meeting.
By Nic Gleeson